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Barber's Shop, Yungaburra
Burra Inn Restaurant (2015).jpg
Barber's Shop, 2015
Location 34 Cedar Street, Yungaburra, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period 1919 - 1930s (interwar period)
Built c. 1925
Official name: Burra Inn Restaurant, Barber's Shop, The Workshop
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 21 October 1992
Reference no. 600470
Significant period 1920s (fabric)
c. 1925-ongoing (historical use as retail)
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The Barber's Shop is a historic building located at 34 Cedar Street in Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1925 and used to be a barber shop. Over the years, it has also been known as the Burra Inn Restaurant and The Workshop. This building is important because it shows how Yungaburra grew and changed over time. It was officially added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

The Barber's Shop: A Look Back

This shop is one of two similar timber buildings. They were built in the mid-1920s for the Williams family. The Barber's Shop was originally used for cutting hair.

Yungaburra's Early Days

The first Europeans came to the Atherton Tablelands to cut timber and mine. But people soon realized the rich soil and cool weather were perfect for farming. In 1885, a plan called the Village Settlement scheme started. It offered settlers 40-acre farm plots. Their homes were grouped together in a village. In 1888, a village settlement was set up at Allumbah Pocket. This place later became Yungaburra.

At the same time, a railway line was being built. It would connect the port of Cairns to the Tablelands. This railway took a long time to finish. The first farms at Allumbah began in 1891. However, the settlement plan did not work out well at first.

The Railway Arrives

The railway reached Mareeba in 1895 and Atherton in 1903. This made it much easier to get to the area. New land laws in the early 1900s encouraged more people to settle. More people started farming around Allumbah.

The land where the shop now stands became the main business area of Yungaburra. It was first part of a farm owned by George O'Donnell in 1899. In 1900, the land was sold and divided into smaller blocks. The railway station was built nearby. This caused the town's focus to shift to the new business center. Buildings were either built or moved closer to the railway.

The Williams Family's Role

The Williams family played a big part in Yungaburra's growth. Henry S. Williams came to Australia in the 1860s. He worked in many jobs before starting a farm on the Tablelands. After losing his dairy cows in 1895, he started a store and butchery. He also ran a hotel.

In 1898, Henry Williams bought land in the original Allumbah settlement. He opened a store there. After he passed away in 1905, his family continued the business. In 1907, they opened a small hotel in Allumbah. It served workers building the railway.

In 1910, the railway line reached the settlement. The town was renamed Yungaburra to avoid confusion with another town. The railway link brought a period of fast growth. A sawmill, a store, and a large hotel were built for the Williams family. Many other shops and houses also appeared.

A New Road and Tourism

In 1926, the Gillies Highway opened. This road connected Yungaburra to Gordonvale. It was the first proper road to the Tablelands. Yungaburra became a popular spot for tourists. People came to see the natural attractions like the nearby lakes. This led to a second period of growth for the town.

It is believed that the Barber's Shop was built around this time, about 1925. It was likely built as a pair with the shop next door. A barber and hairdresser were probably the first people to use this shop.

Changes Over Time

In 1954, the land was divided into two separate blocks. Each shop then had its own title. The Barber's Shop left the Williams family's ownership in 1976. It has changed owners several times since then. By 1982, it had become a restaurant called the Burra Inn Restaurant. In 2016, it was being used as a pump and irrigation store.

What the Barber's Shop Looks Like

The Barber's Shop is a one-story building made of timber. It is shaped like a rectangle. The front of the building faces the street. The building is level with the street at the front. It stands on stumps that get taller towards the back. This is because the ground slopes down behind the building.

The shop has a stepped parapet, which is a low wall along the edge of the roof. It has a gable and hipped roof covered with corrugated metal. A canvas awning stretches out over the street. The shopfront has a main entrance that is set back from the street. On either side of the entrance are display windows. Inside, the building is simple. It has timber walls and floors. The inside has been changed to fit its different uses, like when it was a restaurant.

Why the Barber's Shop is Important

The Barber's Shop was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is considered important for several reasons:

Showing Queensland's History

This shop is an early business building. It shows how Yungaburra became an important gateway to the Tablelands. This happened after the railway arrived in 1910 and a road link opened in 1920. These connections helped farming and dairy industries grow. They also led to the start of tourism in the area.

An Example of Historic Buildings

The shop is a good example of the simple timber business buildings. These types of buildings were common in many new settlements.

Beautiful and Important Design

The way the shop is built, its size, and its details make it a valuable part of Yungaburra's look. It adds a lot to the town's historic feel.

Connected to Important People

This building was part of the Williams Estate. This means it has a special connection to the Williams family. They played a very important role in developing businesses in Yungaburra and the Atherton Tableland.

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