Early Days of The Gap

Soldier’s Settlement subdivision, Settlement Road, The Gap, 1919

The genteel art of afternoon tea on the lawn was not forgone by our early settlers. Here (left to right) Barbara Anderson, her niece Jean Marshall, and sister-in-law Mrs. Jean Marshall, friend Peggy Corbett and husband Dave Anderson. Circa early 1920s.

View of Dave and Barbara Anderson’s Poultry Farm in Settlement Road, The Gap. Now the site of Maddison Place development in 2000/01. Circa 1935.

Our army marching outbound on Waterworks Road almost at the Payne Road corner, circa 1930s.

Our army marching back to barracks along Waterworks Road. The property on the left would later become The Ashgrove Golf Club later in the 1930’s. On the upper right in the background is the home of Alec and Daphne Anderson.

Beginning of the development of Berry Estates. Circa 1956/7.

Joseph and Mary Berry with their 18 grandchildren.

Joseph James Berry with his wife Mary Berry (Nee Quirk), December 1958.

Betty Heyes and sister,  outside their home in Rockbourne Terrace, Paddington, prior to moving to cnr of Waterworks and Orchard Rd, The Gap, (orchard Rd now Furhill Rd).

View south from the Earle Family Home “Fairearth”, circa 1948. The timber fence posts on lower left are situated near what is now Whitehead Road in 2001. This area was used to grow pine trees sold as Christmas trees.

Bau Earle holding their first child on the future site for Edwin and Bau Earle’s home “Fairearth” on Payne Road at the corner of what is now known as Whitehead Road ( 2001). Mt Cootha is visible in the background. Her husband Edwin built their home on this site and sold out in 2000.

Enoggera Creek during a flood at St Johns Wood, circa late 1930s.

Glenmore house and diary which later became Glenmore Estate.

Joseph Bennet Horse & Cattle Brand registration papers.

Young lads Don Carnegie (left) and Mac Cameron at the old gold mine shack at Mt Nebo, circa 1930.

The construction of Mount Nebo Road during the Depression years of the 1930s, by manual labour saw workers receive 5/- (50¢) a day.

This panorama of The Gap was taken by Alan Smith as a teenager, circa 1956/57, showing an east to west view of D’Aguilar Range on the districts southern border. In the foreground is the start of Romea Street (Ron, Olive, Mavis, Eric and Alan Berry). Jevens Street (far left) and Easton’s Tennis Courts (site of The Gap Family Markets).

Soldiers Settlement community incubator operated by Mr and Mrs Mair. Helped by 3 daughters, Emily, Verdun and Bessie. Situated on right in Settlement Road, approx, 100 yards over Fish Creek.

St. John’s Wood 1921. View along Waterworks Road from Ashgrove State School.

The view along Waterworks Road, St John’s Wood, 1921.

St John’s Wood, Waterworks Road, circa 1930, house is on corner of Firhill St.

“Tommy” Grazing at St John’s Wood Embassy dance hall while under construction. Arthur Whitehead who owned Tommy lives in the Paten’s workers cottage, Walton Bridge (approx site of McDonalds). Circa 1928.

Flooded weir downstream from St John’s Wood Bridge. Roof of Ambassador Theatre visible.

St. John’s Wood 1870

The Gap Bus Service operated by Cliff Holden during the 30s and 40s.

Local residents use The Gap Bus Service for many of their picnics.

Following a severe winter drying off the grass and undergrowth, summer fires were a yearly event here at The Gap. Among the worst fire in the area was on Exhibition Wednesday – circa 10 August 1944 – starting from a dropped cigarette at the Ashgrove Golf Links. A strong easterly wind had it reaching Mt Nebo township within six hours. Both Ranges – Taylor Range and D’Aguilar Range – were on fire at the same time with breathing from the smoke difficult, two elderly residents were hospitalised.

Top left photo: Plowes home, middle left, and Menzies home, far right, with fire fighters on land below Taylor Range, left hand side of Waterworks Road where the cutting near the Quarry (now The Gap Tavern) was located.

Top right photo: Sid Plowes uses a wet hessian bag to contain the spread of the fire.

Bottom left photo: Fire fighters work along Plowes side fence, adjoining the Quarry (now the site of The Gap Tavern) containing the spread of the fire

Bottom right photo: Having a breather – is the fire all out? Sid Plowes.

The Gap Junior Tennis Club members, pictured in 1945, on Granny Bennett’s court, opposite Easton’s Store, corner Payne and Waterworks Roads, The Gap.
Back row – (left to right) Doug Easton, Kath Martin, Laurie and Margaret Anderson, Richard Speechley
Front row – John Martin, Janice Eacott and John Anderson

Early days timber cutting, Mount Glorious, note, no scaffolding.

Toll Gates – top of hill near Reservoir – close to Brisbane Forest Park Headquarters. Circa 1930. Photograph courtesy of Mrs. Rita.

From left: Jack Vinter, Vie Cousner, Mary Cousner, Unknown, and Roy Vinter, circa mid 1930s. The group are located at Kaloma Road, outbound with Cousner’s poultry farm in the background on the hill. The road to the Inwood’s and Badrick & properties (Woorama Road in 2003) can be seen below the large bushy tree.

Standing on the crest of 258 Payne Road, The Gap looking south. This area is on the city side of what is now Whitehead Road. Circa 1950.

James Campbell and Albert Sawyer. Walton Bridge 1926.

Taken 1926 – proud dad Wilfrid Heyes stands with his daughters Betty (on his right) and Joan (on his left), site – Waterworks Road.

The Winstone farm taken looking south, circa 1932, with the residence on the right at 883 Waterworks Road, The Gap. Note: The elaborate brick fence at front (design changed, still in existence). Easton’s store (left) was on the opposite side of the road with Payne Road branching off immediately on right of shop.

This photo taken 31-01-1932 is of the home of Mr & Mrs Mark Winstone, 883 Waterworks Road, The Gap. The farm was developed by Mark and son Tom into The Ashgrove Golf Club, founded, 1938.