Raspberry Creek Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raspberry Creek Homestead |
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Raspberry Creek Homestead, 2009
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| Location | 2312 Byfield Road, Byfield, Shire of Livingstone, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s - 1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | circa 1860s |
| Official name: Raspberry Creek Homestead | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600658 |
| Significant period | 1860s circa - ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - main house |
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Raspberry Creek Homestead is a very old and special house in Byfield, Queensland, Australia. It was built around the 1860s and is now a museum! This historic home is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Story of Raspberry Creek Homestead
The Raspberry Creek homestead was first built by James and Mary Hutton. They were early settlers in the Shoalwater Bay area of Central Queensland. The first part of the house was a simple hut made of timber slabs. It was built in the early 1860s. As their family grew, they made the homestead bigger.
The Hutton family came from Ireland, and the Cameron family (Mary's family) came from Scotland. Both families settled in the New England area of New South Wales. James Hutton and Mary Cameron got married in 1852. Two of James's siblings also married two of Mary's siblings, making the families very close.
Starting a New Life in Central Queensland
Nine years after they married, James and Mary Hutton moved to Central Queensland with their children. They started a large cattle property, or "run," called Raspberry Creek in 1863. The journey was long, taking six months. They brought all their belongings and hundreds of cattle with them. Mary and their seven-year-old son, William, drove two wagons.
When they first arrived, Mary and the children stayed in Cawarral. James went ahead to build the first huts at Raspberry Creek. These first huts were later moved. The main homestead you see today was built using timber cut by hand and roof shingles.
Growing the Homestead and Family
By 1868, James Hutton became the only owner of Raspberry Creek. As the family grew, they added more sections to the house. Materials like weatherboards for the extensions were often brought by boat along Shoalwater Creek. This was easier than bringing them over land.
In 1894, the Huttons moved to Sydney. Mary passed away there in 1896. James returned to Raspberry Creek and continued to run the station with his oldest son, William. James died in 1898. William Hutton lived at the homestead until he retired in 1911. William and his wife, Rose, were known for being very welcoming to visitors.
New Owners and a New Purpose
The Hutton family sold Raspberry Creek in 1914. It was later bought by Tom Creed in 1939.
In 1965, the Raspberry Creek homestead became part of the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. It wasn't used as a permanent home anymore. Instead, it was sometimes used as a base camp for military groups and construction workers.
In 1988, the homestead was moved from the military training area. A special grant helped with the move. It was brought to its current spot in the grounds of the Byfield Historical Society. The society now uses the old homestead as a museum and library. It helps people learn about the history of the area.
What Raspberry Creek Homestead Looks Like
Raspberry Creek Homestead is located at the Byfield and District Historical Society. It sits along Byfield Road.
The homestead is made up of three parts. These parts were originally connected. When the homestead was moved, the oldest slab section was separated. Some of the original wood on this slab section has been replaced. In other parts, you can see the timber frame.
The two newer parts of the house are still connected. The larger section is built on timber stumps and has timber weatherboard walls. It has a verandah (a covered porch) on three sides and a corrugated iron roof. This part is connected to a smaller extension. The smaller section also has timber walls and is on timber stumps. A wooden ramp connects the larger building to the smaller one.
Today, the homestead displays many items from the Byfield and District Historical Society's collection. There is also a library in one of the rooms of the larger section.
Why Raspberry Creek Homestead is Special
Raspberry Creek Homestead was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
A Glimpse into Early Pioneer Life
The homestead is important because it shows us what early pioneer homes in the Shoalwater Bay area looked like. With its later additions, Raspberry Creek Homestead also shows how buildings changed over time.
Important to the Community
The local community really values the former Raspberry Creek Homestead. People worked hard to save it and move it to its current location. It's a key part of the area's history. The historical society has focused on preserving it since the late 1980s.
Connected to Important People
The homestead is also special because of its connection to James and Mary Hutton. They were very early settlers in the Shoalwater Bay area. Their story is an important part of Queensland's history.
