Row of Street Trees, Halifax facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Row of Street Trees |
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Row of Street Trees, 2003
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| Location | Macrossan Street, Halifax, Shire of Hinchinbrook, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1885 |
| Official name: Row of Street Trees | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 6 September 2003 |
| Reference no. | 602349 |
| Significant period | c. 1885 (historical) |
| Significant components | seating |
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The Row of Street Trees is a special group of trees in Macrossan Street, Halifax, Queensland, Australia. These trees were planted around 1885. They are very important to the area's history and beauty. Because of their value, they were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on September 6, 2003.
History of the Halifax Trees
How the Trees Were Planted
In the mid-1880s, people in the small town of Halifax planted a row of mango trees along Macrossan Street. This street was becoming the main part of their new town. These trees were part of a bigger plan to improve Halifax. Six important settlers, including Harald Hoffensetz and August Anderssen, led this effort. They built roads, a church, and a school, often giving their own time and money. The mango trees are likely the last part of this early community improvement project.
Early Days of the Herbert River Area
In 1864, an exploration team led by George Elphinstone Dalrymple explored the Herbert River district. This opened the area for new settlers. By 1873, three sugar farms were set up: Gairloch, Macknade, and Bemerside. These farms had their own sugar mills. The Herbert River area was slowly growing into different communities.
August Anderssen, who later helped found Halifax, arrived in 1872. He worked as a carpenter on sugar farms. In 1880, he bought land that would later become Halifax. Other families also moved to this area, which was known as Black's Township.
Building a Community in Black's Township
In 1881, the first hotel and a store were built on Anderssen's land. These helped the new community grow. The six main settlers of Black's Township formed a group called the Herbert River Farmers Association. They worked together to supply sugar cane to the Victoria Mill. These men were important in shaping the sugar industry with smaller farms and central mills.
They also worked hard to improve their district. For example, in 1883, they asked for a road from the wharf to Cordelia Vale. When the local council couldn't fund it, the Association cleared the path themselves.
A School for the Children
The community wanted a school for their children. In 1883, the Queensland Government agreed to a school. But the community had to provide a place for the teacher and a schoolroom. The Herbert River Farmers Association members, including Anderssen and Hoffensetz, built the school themselves. In September 1883, 17 local children started school. These men were very important in developing the settlement that became Halifax.
Halifax Becomes a Town
Halifax officially became a town in 1885. August Anderssen divided his land into town lots and roads. He worked with an auctioneer from Townsville to promote the new town. Many people came, including over 300 from Townsville. Halifax quickly grew, with a hotel, a store, a wharf, and a tramline. It was also near three big sugar farms.
In 1886, the settlement was officially named Halifax. It was named after the nearby Halifax Bay, which Captain Cook named in 1770. After the town was set up, the community decided to build a church.
The Church and the Mango Trees
The Halifax community built their own church in 1886, using volunteer help. Anderssen and Hoffensetz again designed and supervised the building. It's very likely that the mango trees were planted in the main street around this time. They were part of a plan to make the new town beautiful. While many towns in North Queensland planted fig trees for shade, the people of Halifax chose mango trees. Mango trees were practical because they produced fruit and offered great shade.
Changes and Challenges
By the 1890s, the Lower Herbert district was doing well, even when other parts of Queensland faced money problems. More small farms were started. The Victoria to Halifax tramline was finished in 1890, helping the sugar industry. The area also had many different cultures, including people from the South Pacific Islands and Chinese workers.
Later, Italian workers came to the area, many settling around Halifax. The town became a busy center, even competing with Ingham. However, the Herbert River became too shallow for many boats because of silting. So, in 1896, the CSR Company built a tramway through the mangroves to a new deep-water port at Lucinda. With the tramway now going from Ingham to Lucinda, Halifax was no longer the main service center for the sugar industry.
The Trees as a Community Hub
By 1900, the mango trees on Macrossan Street were large and well-kept. They gave welcome shade from the tropical heat. A photo from around 1900 shows the trees were trimmed to grow tall and spread their branches for maximum shade. In 1904, a local newspaper praised the trees, saying they provided "excellent shade."
As more Italian workers arrived in the early 1900s, the mango trees became a popular meeting spot. Older Italian community members kept this tradition for over 50 years. They were proud of their meeting place, often sweeping the street clean before sitting on benches under the trees for lively talks. Younger people also met under the trees, especially after Saturday night parties in the 1950s.
In late 2001, there was a plan to remove the trees. The community strongly protested, gathering over 800 signatures on a petition. This showed how much the trees meant to the people of Halifax and nearby areas.
In 2003, about 120 years after they were planted, the mango trees in Halifax still provide shade and beauty. They add to the town's character and are valued by locals and visitors.
What the Trees Look Like
The row of trees on Macrossan Street includes eight mango trees, one weeping fig tree, and one African Mahogany tree. They are in the middle of the street, between Alma Street and River Avenue. The trees are planted about 25 meters apart, along a length of 255 meters.
The mango trees are very old and have thick trunks. Their trunks are about 4.1 meters around, but each tree is unique. The largest trunk is 5.15 meters around, and the smallest is 2.75 meters. The trees are very tall, averaging about 20.20 meters high.
The shade from each mango tree covers an average area of 132 square meters. This provides much-needed shade on the western side of the street, where most of the shops and hotels are. The tree roots go deep into the ground, helping to hold the soil and prevent erosion. The road surface around the trees is paved.
Over time, some changes have happened to the trees. One mango tree was replaced with a weeping fig tree to keep the shade and beauty. This fig tree is the only one that still has a round concrete bench seat around its base. All the mango trees used to have these benches, but they have been removed. There is also a newer African Mahogany tree, which seems to have replaced another mango tree.
Why These Trees Are Special
The Row of Street Trees in Halifax was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on September 6, 2003. This means they are very important for several reasons:
Showing Queensland's History
The trees show how Queensland's history has changed over time. They were planted around 1885-86 to give shade and make the new town of Halifax beautiful. They are linked to the early days of Halifax and the important work of the Herbert River Farmers' Association in building the town.
A Great Example of Old Shade Trees
These trees are an excellent example of shade trees planted in public places in the late 1800s. It's interesting that mango trees were chosen instead of the more common fig trees. Mango trees were valued because they produced fruit and provided great shade.
Beautiful and Important to the Community
The trees are very beautiful and add to the look of Halifax. Visitors often remember the mango trees for their size, height, and beauty. They are all about 20 meters tall, have gnarled trunks, and are planted evenly. They make Macrossan Street look unique and special.
The trees have always been a big part of community life in Halifax. They are shady meeting places, especially for older people. One mango tree, called the "Tree of Knowledge," is a favorite spot for older Italian men who have met there for over 50 years. Younger people also met friends under the trees on Saturday nights. The community has always been proud of these trees. When there was a plan to remove them in 2001, over 800 people signed a petition to save them. This shows how much the community cares about these trees.
