Called Windsor after Windsor Castle in England, this suburb has a story to tell. Windsor was named during Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee year. Imagine Brisbane in 1887. The Shire of Windsor was just forming.
The area we now know as Windsor was once a collection of smaller localities. These included Swan Hill, O’Connell Town and Lutwyche. Before Windsor, these names dotted the landscape.
In 1897, the Windsor Shire Council erected permanent chambers. Thomas Coutts, a Brisbane architect, designed them. The first meeting in the new chambers happened on March 9, 1897. The building still stands today. It is made of Brisbane tuff from the adjacent quarry. Now, it’s home to the Windsor and Districts Historical Society. Visit on a Sunday or Monday afternoon to explore its history.
Let’s talk about education in Windsor. The Bowen Bridge Road National School opened in 1865. It was a simple wooden building. Sixteen students enrolled on the first day. By the end of the year, 112 students were registered. In 1915, the school moved across the road. It was renamed Windsor State School. The original school became Windsor Memorial Park. A war memorial was built there.
Windsor has several heritage-listed sites. These include Oakwal and Rosemount Hospital. You can also find the Windsor War Memorial Park. It is a reminder of the past. The former Windsor Shire Council Chambers is another landmark.
Consider transport in the early days. Trams once served Windsor frequently. They ran along Lutwyche Road until 1968. The Northern Freeway was planned but never fully built. Part of it is now the Clem Jones Tunnel.
Windsor Uniting Church has an interesting history. It started as a Methodist Church in Swan Hill. During the 1893 Brisbane flood, many people took refuge here. The church relocated to higher ground after the flood. It reopened in 1902 and became Windsor Uniting Church in 1977.
Downey Park is known as the “home of women’s sport in Brisbane.” It has significant historical and social meaning. The park has been crucial for women’s softball.
Today, Windsor is a mix of old and new. It is a suburb with a rich past. The Windsor and Districts Historical Society works to protect this heritage. They ensure that the stories of Windsor are not forgotten. As you wander through Windsor, remember its evolution. From small localities to a thriving suburb, Windsor’s history is etched in its buildings and parks.