Blackstone, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blackstone Ipswich, Queensland
Thomas Street, 2015
Blackstone Location in Queensland
Population	1,144 (2021 census)
• Density	301/km2 (780/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4304
Area	3.8 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	38 km (24 mi) from Brisbane 5 km (3 mi) from Ipswich CBD
LGA(s)	City of Ipswich
State electorate(s)	Bundamba
Federal Division(s)	Blair
Suburbs around Blackstone: Silkstone Bundamba New Chum Raceview Blackstone New Chum Raceview Swanbank Swanbank

Blackstone is a suburb located in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It is part of the City of Ipswich. In 2021, about 1,144 people lived in Blackstone. This area is well-known for its long history with coal mining.

Exploring Blackstone's Past

Brynhyfryd mansion, Blackstone (demolished 1937)

Blackstone was first called Bundamba Creek. However, this name caused confusion with the nearby area of Bundamba. So, the local postmistress, Mrs. Orr, suggested the name Blackstone. It is thought she named it after a place in Ireland.

Mining History

Blackstone has a very rich mining history. In 1866, a Welshman named Lewis Thomas started one of the first mines here. He brought many Welsh miners and their families to live in the community. These families helped create a strong Welsh culture in Blackstone. They even started their own Cambrian choir and a church in 1886. They also built a School of Arts in 1891 and a soccer club in 1890.

Lewis Thomas later opened his first Aberdare Mine in 1876. He became very successful. By 1903, he had built a private railway. This railway connected many mines in the area. Some of these mines included Blackheath, Box Flat, and Aberdare.

Community Buildings

The Blackstone Congregational Church was built in 1879. It was designed by an architect named Will Haenke. The church building was later bought by the Samoan Methodist Church in 2007. They started holding services there in the Samoan language.

Blackstone State School opened its doors on January 17, 1887. It was located at 14 Hill Street. The school served the community for many years before closing on December 31, 2009.

Places of Historical Importance

Blackstone has several sites that are listed for their historical importance. These are called heritage-listed sites. They are protected because they show important parts of the area's past.

• 6 Thomas Street: United Welsh Church, Blackstone
• 14 Mary Street: Blackstone Congregational Church
• 20 Thomas Street: Cambrian House
• 16 Hill Street: Blackstone State School (former)

Schools Near Blackstone

There are no schools located directly within Blackstone. Students living in Blackstone attend schools in nearby suburbs. The closest primary schools are in Silkstone, Raceview, and Bundamba. For high school, students usually go to schools in Bundamba or Ipswich CBD, such as Bremer State High School.

Local Amenities

The Samoan Methodist Church is an important community building in Blackstone. It is located at 14 Mary Street, on the corner of Thomas Street. You can see the original church entrance from Thomas Street. The newer entrance faces Mary Street.