Brisbane's Tower Mill is the oldest surviving building in Queensland, having been built in 1824 under the direction of Commandant Logan. It is located in Observatory Park on the southern side of Wickham Temce and is a major landmark of the City of Brisbane.
The Tower Mill (or Old Wind Mill as it is sometimes known) is one of only two Brisbane buildings remaining from the convict era (the other is the Commissariat Store built in 1829). It has the longest historical record of any building in Queensland.
The Old Windmill originally had wind-powered sails. The grinding of the grains was done by treadmill from October, 1828, with the wind-powered sails being used from December, 1828. It played a vital role in the existence of the Moreton Bay penal settlement by providing flour for survival of the colony.
In the late 1830s the miller was Martin Frawley, who still operated the mill for the free settlement in 1845 as an ex-convict. The government put the windmill up for auction in 1849, but such was the local outcry that it was retained as a landmark for public use.
The Tower Mill also served as Queensland's museum of natural history from 1862 to 1868.
During the 1890s the roof was used by the local fire brigade for night fire-spotting.
In June 1922 the Tower Mill and its surrounding reserve became the Observatory Park by an Order of the Governor in Council and control of the park was transferred to the Brisbane City Council as trustees.
In 1923 the Queensland Institute of Radio Engineers began using the site for experiments in radio signalling which continued until 1926. From 1926 the lessees were Dr V. McDowell and Thomas Elliot who successfully engaged in radio experimentation throughout the late 1920s and the 1930s as well as the first television experiments in Queensland. There is some suggestion that they continued to use the building to store equipment until 1949.
In May 1945 the Brisbane City Council decided to preserve the historic value of the Tower Mill and in 1950 major restoration work was carried out and the park was landscaped in 1951.
In 1962, a report detailed the poor condition of the Tower Mill and in 1967 the council decided to floodlight the Tower Mill with amber lighting for the Warana parade.
In 1973 the University of Queensland gained permission for changes to the park boundaries so that an access road could be built to its Dental Hospital, located at the rear of the reserve.
There is a gap in the record until 1988 when the Brisbane City Council undertook large-scale repair and renovation works which included the erection of a replacement flagpole (the original was removed in 1949) and the removal and replacement of all the cement render on the tower. Also in 1989 Whitmore used techniques of industrial archaeology to investigate the extant structure of the tower and to assess it in terms of its history.
The tower was then placed on the Queensland Heritage list in 1992.
Currently in 2013 it is now used as a weather observatory.
Nearby, is the current Metro Hotel Tower Mill, which had been called the Tower Mill Motel.
Location: Wickham Tce Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia
When you next visit Brisbane or want to be close to the CBD and near the Old Tower Mill, book a stay at the Metro Hotel Tower Mill next door.
Metro Hotel Tower Mill offers guests panoramic views of the Brisbane city centre and surrounding suburbs from your own private balcony.
The hotel is only 600m from the CBD and major shopping centre, 500 metres from central station Brisbane city council operates a free loop bus service from just outside the hotel.
If a friend or a family member are at the Brisbane Private Hospital (Formerly known as The Holy Spirit Hospital) Metro Hotel Tower Mill is the perfect choice as you could not ask for a more conveniently positioned hotel just minutes walk away.
Features:
- Ground floor restaurant & bar
- Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- ATM in reception area
- Complimentary Foxtel TV
- All rooms are 100% Smoke free
- Conference and function facilities
Location of Metro Hotel Tower Mill: 239 Wickham Tce Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia
For Bookings: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/brisbane-hotels/metro-hotel-tower-mill-5
Specials @ Metro Hotel Tower Mill: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special
Phone: +61 7 3832 1421
Email: towermill@metrohg.com
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