Crows Nest, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crows NestQueensland |
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Former Council chambers, now an art gallery
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 Crows Nest
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 2,212 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 23.018/km2 (59.62/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1876 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4355 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 96.1 km2 (37.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Toowoomba Region | ||||||||||||||
| County | Cavendish | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Crows Nest | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Condamine | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Crows Nest is a small town in the Toowoomba Region of Queensland, Australia. It's located in the Darling Downs area. The town is about 158 kilometres (98 miles) from Brisbane, the state capital. It's also just 43 kilometres (27 miles) from the city of Toowoomba. In 2021, about 2,212 people lived in Crows Nest.
Contents
Discovering Crows Nest's Location
Crows Nest is a rural town. It sits on the New England Highway. About 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) east of the town is the beautiful Crows Nest National Park. This park is a great place to explore nature.
A Look Back: Crows Nest History
The Name of Crows Nest
The name "Crows Nest" has a few possible stories. One idea is that it was named after an Aboriginal man called Jimmy Crow. He helped early European settlers find their way. Jimmy Crow lived in a large hollow tree. This tree was near where the police station is today. People started calling the spot "Crows Nest."
Another idea is that the name comes from an Aboriginal word. The word is Tookoogandanna. It means "the home of crows." Many researchers agree that there could be several reasons for the town's name.
Early Days and Growth
In 1849, a large farm was set up here. It was used for raising sheep. Later, in 1875, parts of this big farm were opened for new settlers. People could choose land to start their own farms.
Crows Nest officially became a town in 1876. The first town centre was around Albert Street and South Street.
Schools and Churches
The first school, Crow's Nest Provisional School, opened in 1877. It was a small building with a shingle roof. Later, it became Crows Nest State School. It was located on Dale Street.
The Crows Nest Post Office opened in 1878. This made it easier for people to send and receive mail.
A Methodist Church was built in 1881. A new, larger Methodist Church opened in 1905. It was a big building with classrooms. This church later became the Crows Nest District Uniting Church in 1977.
The Railway Arrives
In 1886, a railway line came to Crows Nest from Toowoomba. This railway helped sawmills and dairy farms. The train station was near Curnow Street. Because of the railway, the area around the station became the new town centre. The railway line closed in the early 1960s.
Local Government and Changes
In 1913, the Shire of Crows Nest was created. Crows Nest became the main town for this local government area. The shire grew bigger in 1949. In 2008, it joined with the Toowoomba Region.
St Matthew's Catholic Primary School opened in 1917. It was on Esk Street. This school has since closed down.
In 1947, a new, larger site was chosen for the state school. This new school would also have a high school section. The new school finally opened in late 1959.
In 1951, a new Anglican church was built. It was dedicated by Archbishop Reginald Halse.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the town's population got smaller. Local businesses also faced challenges.
Honoring Jimmy Crow
In 1969, a special statue was put in Centenary Park. It is a 6-foot 6-inch (almost 2-meter) tall statue of Jimmy Crow. It was carved from a single large stone. A hollow tree stump was also moved to the park. A fig tree was planted on top of it. This memorial is special because it's believed to be the only one in Australia for an Aboriginal person that a town was named after.
Who Lives in Crows Nest?
In 2016, about 2,160 people lived in Crows Nest. By 2021, the population had grown slightly to 2,212 people.
Important Places: Heritage Listings
Crows Nest has some places that are important for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One of them is the Crows Nest Post Office at 19 Curnow Street.
Learning in Crows Nest
Crow's Nest State School is a government school. It teaches students from Prep (the first year of school) up to Year 10. It is located at 1 Littleton Street. In 2018, the school had 323 students. It also has a special education program.
If students want to continue their schooling up to Year 12, the closest government high school is Highfields State Secondary College. This school is in Highfields, to the south-west.
What to Do in Crows Nest: Amenities
Crows Nest has many great facilities for its residents. There is a large pavilion for sports and events. The town also has showgrounds and a heated swimming pool. The pool is 25 metres (82 feet) long.
The John French V.C. Memorial Library is a popular spot. It's named after Jack French, a local hero from World War II. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. The library is on the corner of William Street and the New England Highway. It's run by the Toowoomba Regional Council. The library was updated in 2014.
The Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery is in the same building as the library. It shows off amazing artworks by local artists.
The Crows Nest branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets at 7 Thallon Street. This group helps women and communities.
There are several churches in Crows Nest:
- St George's Anglican Church is at 13 Thallon Street.
- St Matthew's Catholic Church is at 20 Creek Street.
- Crows Nest District Uniting Church is at 17-19 Emu Creek Road.
- New Hope Church is at 9 Emu Creek Road. This church is part of the Australian Christian Churches.
Famous People from Crows Nest
One well-known person from Crows Nest is Jack French. He received the Victoria Cross for his courage during World War II.
