Did you know Loganlea was once home to a thriving citrus orchard? The very first one in southern Queensland in fact. Right here where we stand now. This area wasn’t always the bustling suburb it is today. It all began with Francis and Catherine Shailer. They arrived in 1866 with their children. They settled on land north of what is now Shailer Road. They were pioneers. Farmers who initially grew cotton and then sugar before focusing on citrus fruits.
Francis Shailer was a significant figure in early Loganlea. He was not only a farmer but also a teacher. He taught at the first and second Slacks Creek Provisional Schools. He even served as the first Clerk of the Tingalpa Divisional Board in 1880. Imagine the responsibility. He helped shape the local government. His influence continues to resonate in Loganlea’s history.
His son Alfred Shailer took over the family’s legacy. Alfred farmed the area now known as Daisy Hill. Back then it was called Oakey Mountain and it belonged to his grandfather James Dennis. Alfred’s son Glen followed in their footsteps. Glen became involved in local politics. He was elected to the Albert Shire Council in 1961 serving almost continuously until 1985. He also became Mayor of Logan City in 1982 for one term. The Shailer family’s impact on Loganlea is undeniable. They were pioneers who shaped the community through farming. Their contributions also spread to education and local government.
The Loganlea we see today developed much later. Shailer Park a part of Loganlea was named a district in 1971. It became a suburb in 1991. The Kimberley Park estate was built starting in 1973. Kimberley Park State School opened its doors in 1985. The Logan Hyperdome a landmark shopping centre opened in 1989 on the site of a former water park. Who would have imagined that transformation? The Logan Hyperdome Library opened in 1998 and was updated significantly in 2014.
Loganlea has a rich history beyond the Shailers. The Logan River defines its eastern border. The Beenleigh railway line runs through the north. The Logan Motorway crosses the northern edge. Access is via Kingston Road. This road has one of the three toll points along the highway. The Loganlea railway station opened in April 1885. It served the South Coast railway line. The Loganlea State High School opened in 1981. You can even find the Logan Artists Association gallery and studios in Coral Street. They opened in 2012.
So next time you are in Loganlea remember the Shailers. Their family legacy shaped the landscape. They were responsible for the first citrus orchard in southern Queensland. Think about the incredible transformation this area has gone through. From a farming community to the vibrant suburb it is today.