Queensland National Bank, Forest Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland National Bank, Forest Hill |
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Former Queensland National Bank, 2009
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| Location | 3 Victoria Street, Forest Hill, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1909 |
| Built for | Queensland National Bank |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Shop, 3 Victoria Street, Forest Hill, Queensland National Bank | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600651 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) c. 1909-1976 (historical use) |
| Significant components | tank stand, residential accommodation - staff quarters |
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The Queensland National Bank building in Forest Hill is a historic former bank. It is located at 3 Victoria Street, Forest Hill, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia. This building was constructed around 1909. It was officially added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is a special place protected for its history.
Contents
A Bank's Story in Forest Hill
Early Days of the Bank
This single-storey timber building was built around 1909. It served as the office for the Forest Hill branch of the powerful Queensland National Bank. This bank was first started in 1872. The building was put on land leased from Allister McAllister in November 1909. Mr. McAllister owned the Lockyer Hotel nearby. The new bank building was built next to the hotel. It was also close to the railway station. This made it a central spot in the town.
The Queensland National Bank first opened a branch in Forest Hill on 10 September 1901. It was in a rented space at that time. An old photo from around 1908 shows the bank inside George Wyman's store. It was the first bank in Forest Hill. It opened when the town was growing quickly. This growth happened because more farms were set up in the area. Forest Hill became an important railway and service hub.
How Forest Hill Grew
Before the 1880s, Forest Hill was part of a huge property called Rosewood. This property was about 20,000 acres. The railway line from Ipswich to Toowoomba was planned in 1865. But a train stop, or siding, was not built in Forest Hill until around 1881. It was first called Boyd's Siding. It served Mr. A. J. Boyd's farm. Mr. Boyd was the first farmer in the area. He named his farm Forest Hill. The train siding was later named after his farm. This siding moved to the current Forest Hill station site around 1887.
In 1886 and 1889, parts of the Rosewood property were divided into smaller farms. This led to a farming community growing in Forest Hill. The town itself started to appear in the late 1890s. This was after the Queensland government bought back some of the Rosewood land in 1896. This land was 6,000 acres of rich black soil. It was on the northern side of the Forest Hill railway station. The land was divided into blocks from 70 to 125 acres. It was sold to encourage more farming in the area.
A Thriving Town and Bank
In January 1903, the bank's leaders decided to close the Forest Hill branch. They wanted to move its business to Laidley. But the people of Forest Hill protested. So, the bank decided to stay. This was a good decision. Another 18,000 acres in the Lockyer Valley were sold as farms in 1903. Forest Hill then became a very busy and successful town.
By 1908, Forest Hill was sending out more farm products than bigger towns like Gatton and Laidley. About 70 percent of these products came from the new farms. This busy time matched when the new bank building was built for the Queensland National Bank around 1909.
Changes Over the Years
The Queensland National Bank, and later the National Bank, leased the land for over 60 years. The Forest Hill branch closed for a short time on 2 February 1943. This was part of a plan to save resources during World War II. It reopened on 3 February 1947. In 1948, the Queensland National Bank joined with the National Bank of Australasia Ltd. The Forest Hill office then became part of the National Bank.
In 1970, the National Bank bought the land where the building stood. But the branch only stayed open for another six years. It closed on 16 June 1976. The bank closed because people started to travel to bigger towns like Gatton and Laidley. They went there for shopping and services. After the bank closed, the building was sold. The bank's special fittings were removed. Since then, the building has been used as a shop.
What the Bank Building Looks Like
The former bank building is on the northwest corner of a triangular block. It is near Victoria and William Streets. It is a single-storey building. It stands a little bit off the ground on stumps. Its walls are made of timber boards called chamferboard. The building is rectangular. It has a simple but fancy front that faces Victoria Street.
Outside Features
The front of the building has a parapet wall. This is a low wall that hides the roof. It has timber decorations that look like classic architectural styles. Behind this wall is a simple pitched roof made of corrugated iron. A wide awning covers the footpath in front of the building. This awning is held up by timber posts. These posts have decorative timber brackets. There are three double-hung timber windows facing the street.
On the northern side of the front, there are steps leading to an entry porch. The porch has a pitched roof and decorative arches. It also has a timber balustrade, which is a fancy railing.
Inside the Building
A timber door from the porch opens into the main room. This room is at the front of the building. Behind this, there is a larger room on the northern side. There is also a smaller room without windows on the southern side. The building does not have a hallway. It is just a series of rooms connected by doors. At the back of the building are more small rooms. The ceilings and inside walls are covered with v-jointed timber boards.
The northern side of the building has three windows. It also has the main entry door. The southern wall is plain and made of chamferboard. This wall used to be hidden by another building that is now gone. The back of the building has a small roof overhang. Timber steps lead from the back door to the yard. A rainwater tank is next to the southeast corner of the building.
Why This Place is Special
The former Queensland National Bank building in Forest Hill is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. It was added on 21 October 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing History
This building, built around 1909, shows how Forest Hill grew in the early 1900s. It became a main commercial center for a rich farming area. The building also shows how important the Queensland National Bank was to Forest Hill's business life before World War II.
Unique Design
The building has a simple and smart design. Its front facade is fancy, but the rest of the building is plain. This shows how important the street view was for country town buildings. It looks like a bank because of its classic details and a hidden side entrance. The inside of the building is still mostly original. It shows what homes and workplaces were like in banks in smaller towns long ago.
Beautiful to Look At
The building has a simple and smart design. Its front facade is fancy, but the rest of the building is plain. This shows how important the street view was for country town buildings. It looks like a bank because of its classic details and a hidden side entrance. The inside of the building is still mostly original. It shows what homes and workplaces were like in banks in smaller towns long ago.
Important Connections
This building is strongly linked to the former Queensland National Bank. This bank played a big part in Queensland's economic growth in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
