Harristown, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harristown Toowoomba, Queensland
Redlands, now Concordia Lutheran College Administration Centre, 1992
Harristown Location in Queensland
Population	9,081 (2021 census)
• Density	1,261/km2 (3,270/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4350
Area	7.2 km2 (2.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	4.4 km (3 mi) SW of Toowoomba CBD 131 km (81 mi) W of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s)	Toowoomba South
Federal Division(s)	Groom
Suburbs around Harristown: Glenvale Newtown Toowoomba City Glenvale Harristown South Toowoomba Drayton Darling Heights Kearneys Spring

Harristown is a friendly neighbourhood, or locality, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Toowoomba Region. In 2021, about 9,081 people lived in Harristown, making it a busy and growing community.

Where is Harristown?

Harristown is located southwest of the main Toowoomba city centre. It's a short distance from the heart of the city.

Harristown's Past: A Look at History

How Harristown Got Its Name

Harristown is named after a man called George Harris. He lived from 1831 to 1891 and was a businessman from Brisbane. He was also a member of the Queensland Legislative Council, which is like a part of the government that helps make laws for Queensland.

Early Days of the Neighbourhood

Harristown first started as a planned area called the Harristown Estate in 1902. It was originally part of the Shire of Drayton. The estate had 177 building blocks, which are pieces of land where houses can be built. Forty of these blocks were sold at an auction when the area was first opened up.

Schools Open Their Doors

Harristown has a rich history of schools opening to welcome students:

• Harristown State School: This primary school opened on 4 September 1911. It started with 67 students, but by its official opening day on 30 September 1911, it already had 84 students!
• Concordia Lutheran College: People wanted a Lutheran school in Toowoomba since 1926. However, big events like the Great Depression and World War II delayed its opening. Concordia Lutheran College finally opened on 17 February 1946. It started in a special old house called Redlands with 27 students. Later, in 1964, a primary school campus opened nearby.
• St Anthony's Catholic Primary School: This school was started in 1954 by a group of nuns called the Presentation Sisters. The first classroom was ready in February 1955, and by the end of that year, 116 students were enrolled. The sisters ran the school for many years.
• Harristown State High School: This high school opened its doors on 24 January 1955, giving older students in the area a place to learn.

Railway and Growth

Harristown used to have its own railway station. It was open from 1915 until 1993, connecting the suburb to the Toowoomba–Wyreema railway line. After World War II, the area grew a lot, with more people moving in and more homes being built.

Who Lives in Harristown?

In 2016, Harristown had a population of 8,555 people. By 2021, the number of people living in Harristown grew to 9,081. This shows that Harristown is a popular place to live!

Special Places: Heritage Listings

Harristown has several places that are considered important because of their history or special design. These are called heritage-listed sites:

• 8 Panda Street: Smithfield House
• Corner of South Street and Anzac Avenue: Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery
• 341–367 South Street: Harristown State High School Buildings
• 154 Stephen Street: Redlands (the historic house where Concordia Lutheran College began)

Learning in Harristown: Schools

Harristown is home to several schools, offering education from primary to high school levels.

• Harristown State School: This is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 332 South Street. In 2017, it had almost 400 students.
• Harristown State High School: This is a government secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. You can find it at 341-367 South Street. In 2017, over 1,600 students attended this high school. It also has special programs for students who need extra support or are learning English.
• St Anthony's School: This is a Catholic primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 9 Memory Street. In 2017, about 244 students were enrolled here.
• Concordia Lutheran College: This is a private school with two main campuses in Harristown.
  • The primary campus (Prep–6) is at 67 Warwick Street.
  • The secondary campus (7–12) is at 154 Stephen Street.

In 2017, across both campuses, Concordia Lutheran College had over 600 students.

What to See in Harristown

Harristown has a few interesting places to visit:

• Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery: A historic cemetery.
• Milne Bay Museum: A place to learn about local history.
• Elders and Landmark Saleyards: Where livestock (like cattle and sheep) are bought and sold.