Did you know that The Old Windmill is the oldest surviving building in Queensland? It stands here overlooking the Brisbane CBD. This tower has quite a history.
The Old Windmill was built in the 1820s. Convict labour constructed it. It was part of the Moreton Bay penal settlement. The Old Windmill originally served as a corn mill. It processed wheat and corn crops.
When there was no wind, a treadmill was used. This was also a form of punishment for convicts. Imagine convicts marching endlessly on the treadmill. They were grinding grain to sustain the settlement. The Old Windmill was not always reliable. Its equipment was made from local timber. It needed constant repairs.
Grain grinding ceased in 1845. The treadmill was removed sometime before 1849. The Old Windmill then became a signal station. It communicated shipping news. This was between the Brisbane River entrance and the town.
In 1861, major renovations took place. A time ball was installed to regulate clocks. A cottage was built for the signalman. It was later demolished.
The Old Windmill also served as Queensland’s first museum. This was from 1862 to 1868. Later, it became a site for radio and television research. In 1934, it hosted Queensland’s first television broadcast.
Executions also took place here. In 1841, two Aboriginal men were hanged. They were convicted of being accessories to murder. The Old Windmill was converted into a gallows for the occasion.
The tower has been renovated several times. In the 1980s and 2009, substantial conservation work occurred. Today, The Old Windmill is the centrepiece of Observatory Park. It offers views over Brisbane.
The Old Windmill has a unique charm. It is a reminder of Brisbane’s convict past. It has also played a part in technological advancements. From grain grinding to television broadcasting. This tower has seen it all. The Old Windmill stands as a testament to Brisbane’s history.