South Toowong Estate, [Taringa], 1884 (Map of the Week)

State Library of Queensland has an extensive collection of historical maps of Queensland, some of which have been digitised and can be viewed online.

South Toowong Estate, , 1884. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This real estate map from 1884 advertises 173 allotments of land for sale at the South Toowong Estate, which is today part of the Brisbane suburb of Taringa. The allotments were situated on Ellerslie Cresent, Bellevue Parade, Oxford Terrace, Wilson Street (now Whitmore Street) and an unnamed government road (now Indooroopilly Road and Alpha Street).

The auction also included an existing residence, Ellerslie (lot no.79 on the map), which was set on an acre of land.

"It does not require the imagination to be excited by champagne or any other pain. Practical common-sense and judgement will be all that is wanted to prove that this is the best land in Toowong...The great objection to one part of Toowong by the Cemetery is entirely removed in this instance. There is no view of the Cemetery from this Estate." (Brisbane Courier, August 5, 1884)

Advertisement from Brisbane Courier, August 12, 1884

A public auction was held at the site on the afternoon of August 16, 1884. Brisbane's Telegraph newspaper reported the results of the sale.

"Mr J.W. Todd held a sale of the allotments of the South Toowong Estate, on the ground, on Saturday. The attendance was good, and the lots disposed of reached satisfactory prices." (The Telegraph, August 19, 1884)

A higher resolution image of this map can be viewed and downloaded through our One Search catalogue.

Prints of this map are also available through the Library Shop.

You can browse a compendium of our previous maps of the week on our blog.

Myles Sinnamon – Engagement Officer, State Library of Queensland