Stephens Paddock, South Brisbane [Highgate Hill], 1890 (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.

Stephens Paddock Estate, first section, South Brisbane, 1890. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This Brisbane real estate map from 1890 advertises 90 allotments of land for sale at the Stephens Paddock Estate (located in present day Highgate Hill). The allotments were situated along Laura Street, Prospect Terrace, Gloucester Street and Bellevue Street (now Ruth Street).

Prior to the sale extensive publicity was published in Brisbane newspapers.

"The great auction sale of the year. Undeniably the finest elevated block of land in South Brisbane...Commanding extensive and magnificent views of North and South Brisbane, Red Hill, Milton, Toowong, and, in fact, the whole of the district. Only a few minutes' walk from Victoria Bridge. The healthiest spot in or around Brisbane."(Brisbane Courier, June 7, 1890)

Advertisement, Telegraph newspaper, June 6, 1890

A public auction was held at the site on the afternoon of June 7, 1890. The Telegraph newspaper reported the results of the sale.

“G.T. Bell reports the sale of Stephens Paddock, South Brisbane, on Saturday last, when notwithstanding the very large attendance, the sale was only fairly successful. Evidently buyers' ideas of values did not agree with the opinion held by the auctioneer, 28 allotments only being disposed of at an average of £121 10s, for a total of £3,402..” (Telegraph, June 9, 1890)

A higher resolution image of this map can be viewed 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 – Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland