Businesses

In the 19th century Cabarlah was a thriving small community. Shops included general stores, butcher, oilman's stores and ironmongery (smithy and wheelwright). There was a large Orangery, Country retreats and guest houses, sawmills and Kleinton Brickworks nearby. Before 1883 the district was sometimes called Five Mile Camp, Highfields, or Koonjarewon.

An article in the DD Gazette 25 July 1878, paints an interesting picture of Five Mile Camp with two pubs, store, smithy, and a police barracks. The pubs would have been the Welcome Home (sometimes called Bearkley's) and the Farmer's Arm's (sometimes called Wilke's). The store would have been next to Wilke's called Bloom's which also housed the telegraph station although there was another south of Bearkleys owned by William Jones. The smithy may have been opposite these establishments (on the western side of the road) and a saddlery store may also have been there (There was one in 1879 owned by Mr Wall; TC, 29 March 1879).

While early industry was timber, this was gradually replaced by farming, mainly dairy which started in 1910. The Geham State School book (1871-1993) has a good history of the dairying and farming in the district (pp 22- 26), noting that between the wars there would have been as many as sixty dairy farms in the Geham area alone.

There was also a piggery and a poultry industry.

The following highlight some of the Shops, an Orangery, Country retreats and guest houses, sawmills, and the Kleinton Brickworks

Post and Telegraph offices

There was a post office in the original Highfields near the sawmill nort of Geham, and T.J. White was the postmaster (he owned Portion 177). However, the sawmill burnt down in October 1865, and the volume of mail declined drastically. Mr White suggested it should be moved to Perkins Hotel. This was agreed until early 1867. Meanwhile in February 1866 a grant was made for the establishment of a post office at Highfields. Unfortunately, before a post office was established, folk were then sending letters addressed to the "Postmaster of Highfields" and were then being sent to the Highfields Mills or back to the Toowoomba office.

An article in March 1866 stating: The article relative to the Highfield's post office has met with a speedy rejoinder, as on Thursday last the first mail arrived, and was heartly welcomed by the residents in the reserve. At present the arrangements only provide for a weekly mail, but strong efforts are in progress which, we believe, will prove successful to bring about a daily mail.

It is assumed that this was at the Perkins Hotel, but it wasn't stated. There was a petition in April 1867 (signed by 69 residents of Highfields) "praying that mail service between that place and Toowoomba may be resumed". Apparently, the last Postmaster had considered the neighbourhood "deserted" and so the service had been discontinued. The petition was successful:

TOOWOOMBA AND HIGHFIELDS POSTAL SERVICE

The following letter has been handed to us for publication: General Post Office, Brisbane, 5th November, 1867.

Sir. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dates the 27th August last, and in accordance with your suggestion, I will shortly call for tenders for a weekly mail service between Toowoomba and Highfields, to commence on the 1st January next, on which date also the Post Office at the latter place will be re-opened in charge of Mr J. W. De Gruchy, with whom I have already communicated on the subject. (DDG 9 November 1867, p. 3)

I am unsure where this post office was. Between then and March, the office was filled by Mr John William DeGruchy (until 1871) at a salary of 12 pound a year.

By 1875 Archbald Bearkley ran the post office, which was at the Welcome Home Hotel and Store (DDG 27 Feb 1875, p. 2) in what is now Cabarlah, but was called "Highfields" before the railway came through.

In 1877 the Post Office at "Highfields" changed its name to Koojarewon. (DDG 15 Dec 1877, p. 5), but it was still more commonly called Highfields. It appears the Post Office in Geham reopened in 1877 as advertisements of the mail run started saying "Highfields and Geham".

However, there was a telegraph office at Five Mile Camp from 23 November 1877, probably at Bloom’s shop. After a receiving office opened in 1884 a new Cabarlah Post Office opened on 1 July 1927.[3] The position of this as the 1884 map below suggests the "post and telegraph" was next to the railway station.

People who held the postmaster Geham Post Office position were Mr J. Beirne (to 1875) and Mrs M.A. Black (to 1924). The school teacher Mr Bartlet took the job on for a while, then Valma Kahler, who lived in Argyle, was the post mistress from a window at the back of the homestead in the 1940s

Shops

The current shop at the corner of the Highway and Evans road East has an interesting history.

Terence McCaul may have managed a shop there in portion 317 in 1869, perhaps with Samual Bloom or William Wilkes, before the residence became the Farmers Arms Hotel.

There was a sale of the late H Spiro's[1] (died in Dec 1876) properties. This suggests a building on Sub 1 of Portion 317 (i.e. on the corner) with the name of Bloom’s Store and Butcher's Shop. Note it was only 7.75 perches which suggests the Cabarlah PO (on the map).

In 1877 the front portion of land was sold to Samuel Phillips and Jacob Lehman. (note Samual Phillips was Henry Spiro's bookkeeper).

There was a further sale notice in Sept 1878 but without the shop, suggesting it had been sold probably to Wilkes as later he is renting rooms to the Highfields Development Board and they stated they were having their meetings in the Telegraph Office. It appears the butcher Geoffery Keating, became insolvent in 1877.

There was a wine and spirit merchant merchants "Benjemin & Spiro" Toowoomba in 1866 (1866 Qld Govt Gazette p 184) and newspaper advertisements suggests this had been established from at least 1864. The partnership dissolved in 1868 (Twmba Chronicle 4 April 1868).

HS Bloom also owned a shop in Toowoomba as there was a sale of boots etc in 1875. He then took over the Railway Hotel close to Murphy’s Creek Station (from TC & DD Gazette & dated 20 March 1878). HS Bloom was also Treasurer and Secretary of the Toowoomba Turf Club (April 1879).

Three was also a shop at Geham (on the corner of Plant's Lane) at one stage run by Mrs Munro and then and a man named Gilbert bought Munro’s shop.

[1] Spiro was a magistrate, an alderman, and then Mayor. He dies in 1876 aged 36. He and Samual Benjamin owned a Wine and Spirit merchant licence from about 1864 in Toowoomba. "ALL Parties having claims against HENRY SPIRO are requested to forward them for Liquidation by the 21st September, otherwise they will not be recognised. HENRY SPIRO. Toowoomba, August 31, 1864" (Brisbane Courier Sat 17 Sep 1864)

The Bottom Shop

Bearkley opened the Railway Tavern hotel in 1883 (map from 1884 shows it as Gould's), on por 325. There were plans for a shop perhaps, but por 327 became a butchers run by the Plants whose owned the house across the road.

In 1885, there was an advertisement for the opening of Aubingy Stores with groceries, draperies, oilman's stores and ironmongey (sic). A butcher's shop was also opened (in the same area??) in conjunction with this shop where "the primest meat could be obtained daily". I think this was near the current Farmer's Arms, as in 1899 it was up for sale stating it was in Subdivision 1 to 8 and 29 to 32 of Section 2 area 3 acres 24 3/10 perches with large dwelling and store also fruit trees, Known as Bearkey's property. There are no known photos of these premises. In 1906 the Electoral Roll had Emanuel Sharp as a storekeeper in Cabarlah and he did own this land at some stage from 1883.

The Top Shop

After the old Welcome Home Tavern and Shop on Portion 318 was demolished in 1928, a new shop was built on por 317 in 1928 by George Bridges (TC Chapman's son-in-law) who owned it for 40 years. At one stage (1941-42) it was rented by Mrs Blanch (see family stories section). 1941 Front of shop and the two bowsers. Left is Jimmy Castle son of local carrier (Bill); Graeme Blanch, kid from across road (Evans), Ellis and Ina Blanch.

A lot of the timber used to build the store has been replaced, but some of the original tongue and groove boards still exist in front of the building. This timber, cut from hoop pine logs, had been hauled using a bullock team from Ravensbourne 24 km to Brady's sawmill. Jimmy Green had the contract and he hired Tom Case, a 15 yr old lad. The job took two weeks. There, the logs were cut into boards. (Chronicle 1 Jan 1994). Brady's sawmill was near Taylors Siding (between Hampton and Geham).

Michael and Sue Smith owned the store for 20 years from 1967 to 1987 (they buy back the deed sold off in 1877) and extended the shop and created a living area.

Rainer and Marita Fry, Lothas and Sigrid Schafroth had the store in 1987 and built the Black Forest Cuckoo Clock (applied for building in 1989 and opened in 1990)

Lessees of German Coffee Shop (Kaffee Stubble):

1990 Peter Ross, Dean Rose and Debbie Pendergast
1991 (Jan) Peter Ross, Debbie Halter and Leon Bishop
1994 (Oct) Leon and Debbie Bishop. Teh Australian Postal Service was offering money to buy any small postal offices wanting to close, so the service was sold off in 1994.
1999 March Lee and Gwenda Clayton

Note: The bowsers are gravity fed and the vehicles had to be below the hose to allow the free flow of petrol. Graeme reminisces: “It was amusing to see the drivers wringing the hose to get the last drop. An exercise of futility.”

The Nest Cafe was opened in 2017 (owners David and Katrina James also owned cafe of the same name in Crows Nest). They bought it from the owners of the Forest Hill coffee house. The "Clock and Bull" brewhouse and restaurant was opened in 2024 by Damien & Marena Matthews.

William Jones store

In 1876 (TC 26 August, p 2) FOR ABSOLUTE SALE. All that Valuable Property, being Subdivision 2, of Portion 319, Parish of Geham, adjoining Bearkley' Hotel, Highfields, and known as W. Jones's Store-— area, 2 acres, 3 roods, 37 perches.— upon which is erected a substantial four-room Cottage. T. G. ROBINSON has received instructions from Mr. Wm. H Jones to sell the above by auction

Otts/Smith's shop

In 1890 the Electoral Lists has a George Ott as a residence "near the police station" and ** has him selling fruit and vegetables. In 1915 Pugh's Almanac listed two storekeepers: Miss H Smith (this was*) and G Gilbert.

In the section below on boarding houses, there is a photo of Miss Hunt-Smith's shop where “her sweets were cheaper than at the store. She sold 12 lollies for a penny or three long liquorice straps a penny. Charlie Brennan also liked the sweets from Miss Smith’s shop. "He was a dear old man who played the accordion for dances at the Cabarlah Hall which were run to raise funds for St Vincent's"

DeGruchy Shop

John and Isabella DeGruchy would have been one of the earliest families in the district. They set up a shop and butcher at 'Highfields' in 1863. I think the shop (probably on DeGruchy land) was between the current cemetery and the Highfields school. There is a story from a Plant family when, as children in the 1920's, two girls used to 'walk from their house at Cabarlah, to the Cabarlah Cemetery each Sunday afternoon with flowers. Afterwards, they would walk to the little shop near the cemetery to spend their three pence. This little shop was operated by two old spinsters - Misses De Gruchy. These ladies were friends of the girls’ mother .... The shop has long gone.

Blacksmiths

There would have been many blacksmiths in the area, but have not found a photo (yet!). As mentioned elsewhere, some Blacksmiths:

A blacksmith at Argyle homestead
A blacksmith in the group of shops around what is now the Farmer's Arms
Probably a blacksmith near the current Fire-brigade
James Tasker (aged 67) was a blacksmith and farmer, and was on Por 310 (opposite the railway in 1895 - DDG 05 October 1895 p. 6). His son? James Stewart (aged 30) was registered as a Farmer at the same property.
Henry Kahler was a blacksmith

Butchers

It is difficult to find information about Butcher shops in the area.

Bloom’s Store and Butchers Shop from about 1876 (referenced above) with butcher, Geoffery Keating, who became insolvent in 1877. A Mr Keating was a butcher there in the early 1900's. From the 1941 map (see home page) G Keating owned land (71, 72 and 74)
William Murphy was on the Electoral list (DDG 05/10/1895 p6) as a butcher at the residence of De Gruchy Shop Cabarlah.
Garrets had a butcher shop was on one side of ** road in the early 1900's. "A beautiful old Camphor Laurel tree is still there to mark the site of the butcher shop. Mr George bridges who conducted the store was his grandson"[3] James Garret was given a slaughtering license in 1894 (TCC 05/07/1894 p 3) in Cabarlah as was JW Gruchy (De Gruchy was also given one for Meringindan).
De Gruchys was on the other side from Bloom's store (?). They used to take the meats around on horseback in a big cane basket. A man named Cubbord (or was it George Cuppage who had a butchery business with Fred De Gruchy) was one of the delivery men.
A Mr JW De Gruchy and his wife Isabella also lived in Highfields (since 1863) but their storekeeping and butchering business was at Highfields (Koojareewong) (TC 20/03/1879)
Venaglia was a butcher in the area in 1908
People named Leggatts rented Duncan Munro’s house and started a butcher shop. They kept the shop going for some years (this is at Geham near Argyle Homestead).
Alfred James Plant was a butcher and I can find a reference to him as a butcher in 1923 (died in 1946). Plant family had a butchery slaughter yard where the present oval now is built. There was a photo of Alf and Dick Plant in the pub, referencing a date of 1913-14.

The corner of Costello Rd and the highway had a butcher's shop there until the 1980's (still see the yards there but not sure whether they were butcher's yard). Whether this was the same butchers referenced above (bottom shop) that ran from 1883, is unclear. This shop may have been started in 1905 by Fred Lawerence brother-in-law to Plants.

Current site of perhaps a slaughterhouse behind butcher on Costello Rd (photo taken Oct 2019)

Orangery

Bearkley extended his land (318, 319, 329 & 330) to became an orange orchard in 1879. An article in DDG 03/06/1879:

An Orangery at Highfields.

The Aubiny Gardens were begun by Mr. Archibald Bearkley in connection with his hotel — the Welcome Home, Highfields — in 1873. He commenced the cultivation of these gardens very cautiously, for the ground cleared at first consisted of only ono acre, which was laid out and planted with a few orange trees and grape vines, which were for the most part procured from the nurseries of Mr. John Baptist, Sydney. Year by year the garden was extended by the addition of an acre or so, until now it consists of between eight and nine acres, and the work has been carried out by the solitary aid afforded by an intelligent Scotchman, to whom we are indebted for the subjoined particulars. We may add that the gardens are a pattern of neatness; and we shall long remember our visit to the Welcome Home in connection with a reception which cannot be exceeded for its warm hospitality.

The oranges.

By judiciously selecting young trees every year the whole come to maturity in rotation. Every variety of orange tree is here represented. Among others we find the Nutmeg, Cluster, Queen Marion, Red, Tangerine, Maltese, Parramatta, Siletta, St. Michael, Navel, and Teneriffe ; one other class of orange, called the " Poor Alan's," is a prince of the class, as it grows to an immense size and bears well. These are only a few out of the large variety which these gardens contain. Of mandarins there are the sorts known as Emperor, Thorny, Canton, and Emperor of China.

Grape vines.

Of these there are over 3000 in the garden. The bearing season being over, we had not the pleasure of testing the quality of the grape, as we did of the oranges, but the varieties grown aro the Black Hamburg, Keisling, Bucklands, Sweetwater, Chaptel, Black Muscatel, Black July, Aliconto, Calabrion Raisin, Sultana, Golden Hamburg, Isabella, and Scappernong. The best wine grape, the Reisling, is here largely grown, and Mr. Bearkley has already commenced the production of wine.

Other fruit trees.

The list of these is somewhat long, as we found among them the cherry (May Duke), shaddock, Indian almond, loquat, Chinese date plum, mango, white nod purple guava, custard apple, quince, apple pomegranate (the fruiting variety), pear, peach, lemon, figs, plums, passion fruit, nectarines, mulberries, almonds, &c. Many of these trees aro still young, while others are in full bearing, and all looking healthy. In short, we discovered a greater variety here than may be found in more pretentious gardens, in a section of the ground, which may be called the nursery, are young orange trees raised from seed, others grafted on older stocks, citrons raised from cuttings, snoots; and walnuts. There we also find the gooseberry, strawberry, and English currant. The orange trees are planted in rows 22 feet from each other, which gives nearly 100 trees to the acre; of these two-thirds have borne fruit this year. A portion of the garden has been devoted to kitchen herbs, and contains cabbages, onions, leeks, carrots, lettuce, and parsnips. Of potatoes there are the early rose, snow-flake, aa d Brasses' prolific. Despite the ill effect of a three years' drought, which has told in no slight degree on the garden, it bears a flourishing appearance even in this midwinter season. This may be accounted for, as Mr. Bearkley has carefully attended to soaking both with liquid manure and soap-suds. The garden is laid out in the form of a square with walks intersecting each other at right angles. These walks are bordered by grape vines, while the intermediate space is taken up by the orange and other fruit trees. Although the garden at present consists of only nine acres under fruit cultivation, there is plenty more ground to be taken in ; and as Mr. Bearkley's system has been to add bit by bit yearly, we expect in a few years to find him the proud proprietor of nursery and garden lands, the prolific nature and extent of which will he second to none in the colony, and yield him a handsome profit ns a return for the care, attention, and labour of previous years. Fourteen or fifteen years ago the present garden was nothing but wild bush unfenced and uncultivated. It is now blooming like a rose in the desert, and is n sample of what can be done to make the country of value, and is an example to others in this respect.

The property came up for sale in 1886 and was still for sale in 1888 (ad above).

Jane Alfred paid rates on por 317, 318, 319, 331 and 332 in 1903
Jane Rippingale (probably Alfred) listed as having a boarding house until 1916)
TH Chapman residing in Hampton paid rates on portions 317, 318, 319, 331 and 332 in 1917
In 1918 George Gilbert at a store probably on 318 and he would have been employed by Mr Chapman (this was the old Bearkley Hotel - the "Long Shop")
in 1922-23 WR Cordiner and them TH Chapman again 1923-24
Store demolished in 1928 and new store opened (see above)

Carriers

John McAteer was listed as a carrier in Cabarlah in at his funeral notice in 1884. He had a property (por 110) which was in the Geham Parish, just outside the Cabarlah boundary.
John Kane was listed as a carrier in 1896/97 and 1902 electoral roles
Hy Soomthy was listed as a carrier in 1902/3/4 electoral roles.
Henry Castle, Cream Carrier (at Taylor circa 1928. From Geham State School 1871 - 1993 p. 23). For 30 years he carried cream to the Toowoomba factory three times a week in summer and twice a week in winter. He also carted fuel.
Bill Castle lived on the corner of Castle Road and the highway in the 1940's. Mr. Castle was the local general carrier and operated a truck that was converted to gas operation with a charcoal gas converter attached on the back of the truck.

Country retreats and guest houses

Fernbank

Alfred Merritt and his wife migrated from Popham family estate, Hampshire around 1870 they had 3 sons and 2 daughters. He was clerk of the Highfields Divisional board to 1891. He then became the Toowoomba Clerk from 1891 to his death in 1902. His son Frank was on council staff and became Clerk from 1910 to 1930s.

Another brother, Alfred was shire clerk for Highfields (Cabarlah) from 1922 to 1942.

Fernbank was a Mountain retreat with an easterly aspect, about 1 mile from the Cabarlah Railway on Fernbank road (it is still a house).

In 1874 there was a description of the road development:

The road to Highfields has been of late considerably improved by the erection of numerous culverts across the various gullies, and a road has been cleared through the scrub, within about half a mile of the residence of Wm. Merritt, Esq. J.P., and the road party are now engaged in erecting a culvert across a nasty gully close to where they have been clearing. (Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser, 25 Feb 1874, p 3)

A. Merritt tried to sell or let it in 2 Sept 1891. Another advertisement stated A. Merritt was the town clerk (of Hume St Twmba). The property looks to have not sold and the (daughter??) started a business advertised from 1895 to about 1904. In 1899 it was let to Mr and Mrs Le Grand, but in September was again taken by Miss Lily Merritt. She was listed as a boarding-house keeper in the 1906 Electrol Roll.

Note the distance from Spring Bluff to Cabarlah must have been relatively short, as some visitors could be met at the station.

These advertisements were in the DD Gazette and the Brisbane Courier regularly, one of which stated the resort was 130 ft higher than Toowoomba. There were removal of buildings from the premises in 1918, but saying A Merritt had recently purchased the property. On 23 Jan 1902 Alfred Merritt died (Town clerk Toowoomba). His son Frank, was the assistant town clerk. This source had him coming to the Darling Downs in 1861. He was clerk of the Highfields Divisional Board to 1891. He had 3 sons & 4 daughters (earlier said 2 daughters!). (DD Gazette 16 Feb 1918). The property was bought back by Alfred (jnr) in 1915 from the Church of England. Note a 34 x 12 hall.

Miss Hunt- Smith's Shop, Ott's Hill (Geham Centenary p 13)

Hunt-Smith

There was another boarding house in Cabarlah from about 1900 when a Miss Grace Emily Hunt-Smith advertised accommodation. One advertisement in 1909 saying "Miss Hunt-Smith has Removed opposite the Long House. Tea and Refreshments supplied as usual." Miss Smith's shop was south of the Cabarlah fire station.

The Bunyas

A third boarding house was advertised in 1909, called The Bunyas "private Board and Residence" as a "splendid health resort. Miss J. Alford Proprietress." This was in the old Bearkley Hotel (Welcome Home). She appeared to have this from 1903 to 1916.

Spring Bluff Guest House

The Buzicotts established the "Spring Bluff Guest House on the adjoining property (what is now Shannon Park). The only means of transport was by rail and a trip had to be made from the station up the steep hill to the guest house and all the luggage carried up. This was a very popular holiday resort and after the Buzicotts was carried out for many years by the Misses Smith" [3]

Motel

In 1989 an extension of time to an application for a 7 unit motel was approved (never built).

Caravan Park

In 2007: Application for a material change to use on north eastern corner of 9945 New England Highway and Castle Rd for holiday Cabin development and Caravan Park (10 holiday cabins, 4 tent sites and 16 caravan sites) was approved, subject to conditions (never developed)

Argyle

Argyle Homestead was originally built by Duncan Munro in 1884. According to an article in the Chronicle (4 Oct 1989), the steeped roofed house may have been based on a Canadian design seen by Duncan Munro when he was overseas. After the mill closed the house was rented by Leggarts (butchers) and then Jerrard (farmer). It was sold to Munro's teamster Joseph Kahler in 1915 and was used as a farmhouse until it was bought by Salts Antiques in 1983 (after the last of the sons, David Munro, died), before being taken over by the National Trust which sold it in 1989 to Pam McQueen and Pat Carson. In 1994 it was again sold, to Julie and Ross Smith. At that stage it had been running as a Bed-and Breakfast.

Sawmills

A book by John Kerr, Sawmills and Tramway Report (1998) p 181 lists the sawmills in the area (there were also others in Toowoomba, Drayton, Crows Nest Emu Creek, Ravensbourne, Perserverance etc):

Place Proprietor Date Range

Geham, Hampton Argyle Mills, A. & D Munro 1874 - 1937

Hampton James Cocks, Robert Filshie & James Broadfoot 1870 - 1899

Highfields T.P. Brady 1947 - 1949

Highfields, Sam Dodds 1900 - 19000 [sic]

(Head of Ballard Creek)

Merritt's Creek Brady Brothers, James Brady 1899 - 1947

[Taylor nearest siding]

Pechey Albert Mill Highfields Steam Saw Mills, E. W. Pechey 1866 - 1924

Taylor Victoria Mill Highfields Steam Saw Mills 1863 - 1865

Degen; Henry Heage, E.W. Pechey & Jones

The Victoria (Degen’s) and Albert Steam Mills

Opened in April 1864 about 15 miles from Toowoomba at Highfield [sic] near Geham (Kerr has it at Taylor which is a bit to the north of Geham).

We are given to understand that the mill turns out from twenty to thirty thousand feet of timber weekly, but so great is the demand (and there are over 100 men employed) that alterations are being hurried forward for the commencement of night work, and an additional mill is in course of erection; new and commodious workshops have been completed, the huts, stores, and dwelling houses are being re-modelled, while the primitive bark is being rapidly superseded by the more civilized shingle. (DDG 6 May 1865)

An article in 1865 talks of a Degen’s sawmill at Highfield with a schoolhouse, hotel and shops.

In 29 March 1865 there was a death on the premises.

The Sawmill burnt down on 19 October 1865 after only a few months of running, with a damage bill estimated at £3000.

An article in the Queensland Times in March 1866 describes the relationship between the two sawmills in this area (See map below for comparison):

A correspondent thus writes of the steam sawmills at Highfields, on the Darling Downs:

Situated at the extreme verge of the old reserve, and some sixteen miles from Toowoomba, the Highfield Steam sawmill led the march of onward progress, and materially assisted in opening up the roads. Within two years the two-rail fence and roadside inn of advancing settlement had reminded the proprietors of its onward mission by planting themselves opposite the gates. A-second mill was being erected at a distance of some six miles further on, when the first was entirely destroyed by fire. This, although a severe pecuniary blow, roused only to a greater extent tile indomitable pluck of the, proprietors, Messrs. Degen, Pechey, and Co.

The second mill was brought into working order within two months, and is now giving employment to upwards of ninety hands, besides some twenty to thirty bullock and horse teams , which convey the sawn timber to the Toowoomba depot. The engines are thirty horse power, the mill zinc-roofed, and was faithfully finished as to offer a model of complete and perfect adaptability to its purpose. The hands are divided into two sets, taking day and night duty alternatively. Although a weekly average of forty thousand feet of sawn timber is thus produced, still the demands are so heavy and continuous that a third mill is now in course of erection, and will, it is supposed, be completed within three months. From forty to fifty hands are here employed, so that the- firm afforded occupation to upwards of one hundred and forty hands, besides teamsters.

So it was rebuilt and running again by about Jan 1866 probably now at Pechey, as later articles state it was about 21 - 25 miles from Toowoomba, it is "past the Rising Sun Hotel and Mr Adams Farm".

On 6 March 1869 an article in the DDG (p2) states that a dinner will be given to farmers of Highfields to His Excellency the Governor at the Victoria Steam Mills, Highfields.

Albert Sawmill was mentioned in an article in 23 June 1866 and another on 10 Mar 1869. In another article they talk about the Albert and Victoria Steam Saw Mills at Highfields.

Another source says the Albert was built (further north at what became known as Pechey) after the other was burnt down. “The name Pechey was in use at least since the railway opened on 6 December 1886. A siding to the sawmill had been laid out in 1884 prior to construction. The sawmills were a factor in the 1883 decision to route the line to Crow's Nest to pass by the sawmill.” [1]. Peachy had leased the Mill soon after construction but the company dissolved in Feb 1868[2]. An article in the DD Gazette (17 April) stated that "Robt. J. Rotton sold to Mr EW Pechey the lease of the Highfields Sawmills, together with the stock, book debts, and goodwill of the business connected with the same" The mill closed in 1924. (which tallies with the table above)

An article on March 27 1878 noted 4 sawmills (the Cock's one was in Hampton according to Kerr (1998) :

I see Mr. Munro is making preparations for the winter. He has started to break up new ground close to the mill, and the mill seems to be in full working. There are now a great many teams drawing timber there, and there appears to me to be a great quantity of sawn timber going away from it. The other mills are also working, but Messrs. Cameron and Hebbell's place has suffered for the want of water. We have another mill in course of erection. Mr. Cocks has brought his plant out here, and I hear, he will be ready to start cutting timber in a few weeks. Goodness knows if any part of Queensland stands in need of a branch railway, we do now. What with four sawmills, farmers, &c. &c, and all within a few miles from each other, but on the same road, which makes it better, surely there is a great necessity for a branch line out this way.

Early map shows the northern border of the Reserve and the portions (BNSW (151, 147 & 149), McCaul (146), and Perkins (148) and roads in the area. Note the southern end of 146 is very close to the Geham Railway station built in 1886.

Argyle sawmill site (photo taken March 2018 from Highway opposite Geham Station Road)

Argyle (Geham)

Argyle Mills established by Munro Bros near the Geham School. It employed mill hands, teamsters and timber-fellers. It was still in use in 1892 and run by John Munro (Munro owned Argyle homestead). At that time there were houses and huts there (up to 15), a store and a blacksmith’s shop. From 1890 to 1903 the timber was carried by wagons from sawmills at Perseverance to Hampton rail siding and reloaded onto rail wagons (Geham School history p 21). The Smoothy brothers drove the teams.

A tramway was built from Ravensbourne to meet at Hampton and was called the Munro tramway. http://www.crowsnest.info/live-here/reminders/88-munro-s-tramway

All that is left of the sawmill are a few stumps.

Earliest documented photograph of the tramway DD Gazette 26 Sept 1896

Munro tramway going up hill (perhaps the eastern end of Fernbank Rd before it dips down - after the bitumen)

Photo taken in 2018 next to the dirt section of Fernbank Rd where the line would have been

Tramway

Before Munro built a tramway from Hampton to Ravensborne, he built a short tramway at Cabarlah/Fifteen Mile along Fernbank Road on what was Munro land at the time. An extract from Sept 26 1896 in the Toowoomba Chronicle (p3)

The timber industry in this district is a leading one. Its development has been principally confined to the eastern slope of the Main Range; in a northerly direction towards Nanango. Here it has been successfully carried on for some years, but during the last two or three years that success has been most marked. Foremost in this work of development has been Mr. Duncan Munro, of the well-known firm of Messrs. A & D. Munro, timber merchants. At Mr. Munro's sawmills the trade has increased to such an extent that in order to keep pace with the demand Mr. Munro has had to resort to a more improved up-to-date system of haulage of the timber to the mills than the old fashioned bullock teams, and with commendable enterprise he has decided to construct tramways; in fact he has already constructed one.

Foremost in this work of development has been Mr. Duncan Munro, of the well known firm of Messrs. A & D. Munro, timber merchants. At Mr. Munro's sawmills the trade has increased to such an extent that in order to keep pace with the demand Mr. Munro has had to resort to a more improved up-to-date system of haulage of the timber to the mills than the old fashioned bullock teams, and with commendable enterprise he has decided to construct tramways; in fact he has already constructed one.

In order to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the best tramway systems, Mr Duncan Munro took a trip last year to New Zealand and Victoria, and made a careful study of the system of haulage employed in the timber districts, also of light railways constructed in some of the agricultural districts. In the former he found timber of all descriptions conveyed to the mills by the tramway system that could not very well have been hauled there by any other way at anything approaching a reasonable cost.

Mr. Munro is a shrewd business man, and a keen observer, and he very soon arrived at the conclusion that the system of haulage adopted by the saw mill proprietors and timber merchants in New Zealand and Victoria was just what was required in South Queensland to keep pace with the times, enabling him as it would to solve the problem of securing supply of the best timber from apparently inaccessible country, where the primitive systems of haulage would be useless. Immediately on his return Mr Munro set to work, …, with the result that one has been completed, and men have been employed during the last six weeks in the construction of another tramway, very rapid progress having been made. This development marks a new era in the timber industry of this district, and Mr. Munro deserves the highest praise for his enterprise.

Last Saturday a representative of this journal, with a number of other gentlemen was accorded a trip out to Cabarlah and Hampton to see how the work of constructing the tramways is progressing. Leaving town at 20 minutes past 2 o'clock in a four in-hand driven by Mr. R. Munro, the party were driven along the picturesque Highfields road, and arrived at the Cabarlah tramway at 3:20 p.m. Here, on the top of the range, the tramway starts in a 400 acre paddock of Mr. Munro's, and descends for half a mile to where the timber is, the steepest gradient being 1 in 5.

To give an idea as to how the timber is conveyed a huge turpentine log was placed on the trolley, and five horses hitched on, the team taking the load to the top with perfect ease, in fact the members of the party were assured by Mr. Munro that the five horses can haul up over three tons of timber comfortably. With Mr. H. Clarke as brakesman, the party was accorded a trip down on the trolley, and it was a veritable switchback railway ride, one minute diving down a steep incline, then gracefully rounding a curve, now a spurt to reach the rise in front, and so on until they reached the staging below. The country round is studded with immense blackbutt trees, the timber of which is strong and durable, and is used for house building, fencing, wheelwright's work, & also turpentine, a useful timber which is much valued for piles, girders, and posts

Spotted gum and blue gum are also there in abundance. All this timber would be unavailable were it not for the tramway which conveys it to the top where it is placed on large timber wagons and hauled to the mill at Geham situated about two miles from the tram line.

All the work was laid out by Mr. Munro, who took levels, and was superintended by Mr. H. Clarke, a gentleman who throws great energy into his work, and its construction reflects every credit on Mr. Munro and his able superintendent. This tram is laid with wooden rails except on the curves where steel rail are used. A patent block brake prevents the trolley from running back when the horses require a spell. From here a start was made and the party journeyed to Geham where they accepted the hospitality of Mrs. D. Munro.

…... Certainly he has a great deal of work before him yet before the 11 miles are constructed to Perseverance, but the work done on the half-mile of tram at Cabarlah is sufficient evidence that the Hampton-Perseverance line will prove equally as successful. The whole of the levels on this latter line were also taken by Mr. Munro himself, and the work is being carried out under his personal supervision and that of Mr. H. Clarke, and the even way in which the trollies run without any jerk or vibration speaks eloquently for the quality of the work that is being done. This is a great enterprise for a business man to undertake, yet we feel sure when it is completed it will prove remunerative. Mr. Munro is deserving of every praise for his enterprise, and we are certain that all interested, not only in the timber trade, but that of other industries, will join with us in wishing that his enterprise will be amply rewarded; that the line will more than pay interest on the cost of construction.

Photos from Munro Tramway Historical society

Map showing Munro land, with the blue line pointing to Fernbank Rd

Quarry

Brisbane Courier 10 August 1928 reported on a proposed quarry at the back of Spring Bluff railway station.

The photo below is of the Cliff Dale quarry Spring Bluff (1912) (Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba City Library).

Gatekeepers Cafe and Antique Shop/ Colours of San Cris

The railway house (circa 1883) was the Gatekeepers Café and Antiques when offered for sale in Nov 2002.

It became the Colours of San Cris from ** until the property sold in 2024.

Cabarlah Siding Pottery was registered as a business in ASIC from 1995 to 1999. Work made at the pottery may be marked with an impressed 'Cabarlah Siding Pottery' stamp. (https://www.flickr.com/groups/1281707@N21/discuss/72157668057867205/ )

Kaffee Stuble (cf 2004)

Cyrano Maison de France

The antique store opened in 1975. Owners Ray and Margaret Imbs started importing beautiful things directly from France. Initially they traded from the old church. In 1988 they moved to Evans Road. (from TC 15/07/2010). It celebrated its 25th anniversary in July 2010

Money Lender

Mr de Gruchy was a money lender and if one wanted a few pounds, he would lend it to them at 13 per cent interest. A Mr De Gruchy was also a butcher

Dressmakers

In the 1924 Postal Directory two dressmakers were recorded

Kleinton Brickworks

By 1887 the Toowoomba Brick and Tile Company was producing 60 000 bricks per week.

Photo 1902 "Braziers Brickworks (Kleinton) Driver Fred Klein (Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba City Library)

[1] CR 1884 p. 135, CR 1883 p. 132.

[2] http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/rfa/regions/qld-south-east/cultural-heriatage/forest-industry-places/pdf/qld_se_saw22.pdf

[3] Mrs Bridges Story (History) collected by **

Cabarlah Rural Fire Brigade

Formed 6 October 1951. The following is from Beyond Tall Timbers 1988-2008: A Folk History of Crows Nest Shire (p 101)

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