Gatton and District Historical Society

Gatton and District Historical Society GDHS since 1972; The historic village experience to immerse yourself in our town's multifaceted past.

Exciting News
We are now an Affiliate Library with FamilySearch The Gatton and District Historical Society was formed in 1972. Our Society and Historical Village offers our community an exciting trip down memory lane of Gatton's vibrant past, from settler town to the heart of The Lockyer Valley. Our Historical Village has Hopewell House, a fully restored working manor from Woodlands. Caffey Hall

holds our museum collection while The Gatton Fire Station has the Gatton's first motorised Fire Engine - a 1948 Austin Truck and fire-fighting equipment of yesteryear. Our Vehicle shed displays a 1926 Buick in perfect working order, a 1948 International K1 that needs a bit of encouragement to start and a 1913 English Dennis ex British Army truck that still works. Our Village is open to volunteers on Monday through Thursday and to tours and community groups on these days. The Society holds its monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month in Caffey Hall - the Museum building.

Did you know that Gatton once had its own Cordial and Soft Drink Factory????I was at about 5 Smith Street where a block ...
22/06/2026

Did you know that Gatton once had its own Cordial and Soft Drink Factory????
I was at about 5 Smith Street where a block of units are now.
This photo shows when the Bishop Family owned the factory. The Bishops lived next door to the factory on the corner of Railway and Smith Streets.
Later the factory was owned by Warwick Leeson and we believe the last owner was Ernie Cunnington.

W Corney's Blacksmith and Coach Building shop 1901.Located where Westpac Bank is now.
20/06/2026

W Corney's Blacksmith and Coach Building shop 1901.
Located where Westpac Bank is now.

Gatton's fire School of Arts. Previously called the Tarampa Board Hall before Gatton Sgire was declared. This building b...
19/06/2026

Gatton's fire School of Arts. Previously called the Tarampa Board Hall before Gatton Sgire was declared. This building burnt down and was replaced by the School of Arts that many older Gatton folk would remember.The building was where the car park between the Royal and the Post Office is now.
This the hall where the Murphy's were to attend a dance on the night they were murdered just south of Gatton.

The original photo of the rebuild of Railway Street. AI enhanced but in B&W. The "flying saucers" top right are in the o...
17/06/2026

The original photo of the rebuild of Railway Street. AI enhanced but in B&W. The "flying saucers" top right are in the original photo. Don't know what they are.

Very early photo of Railway Street Gatton. Royal Hotel on the left. Commercial Hotel on the right. Later became the main...
17/06/2026

Very early photo of Railway Street Gatton. Royal Hotel on the left. Commercial Hotel on the right. Later became the main road to Toowoomba. The main road at the time of the photo was via Spencer Street, over the hill where the Catholic Church is and across the Lockyer Creek on Donahue's Bridge behind the racecourse. The bridge was washed away in the 30s?

15/06/2026

I am intrigued of the lives of the early founding folk of the Lockyer Valley, especially the women who were the backbone of early farm life. The Gatton & District Historical Society have extensive files in our Library, be it hard copy or access to Family Search with 2 family historians who have a good knowledge of Family Search.

The Council has control of all Lockyer Valley cemeteries with the exception of Helidon General and Helidon Catholic and Ropeley. Family Historian Jacqui B. has an abundance of files for Helidon and Kel Freeman has information on Ropeley Scandanavian Cemetery. For information on unmarked graves in these cemeteries perhaps try Jacqui B or Kel F.

I am researching all unmarked graves in the Lockyer Valley with the exception of those above mentioned. The project will be called 'Please, Remember my Name' and it is hoped the Council may help with a plaque etc. showing their names. Cut off date is 1945. If you have a family member lost to time consider G&DHS as a resource gateway.
Finally, I have found records for approx. 600 folk and hope to tell their stories.
Stay tuned for more information re: Riddell St. Cemetery.

What does 2 Family Historians (TY Jacqui B), a cemetery sextant (TY John) and a Australian Railway Historical Society - ...
15/06/2026

What does 2 Family Historians (TY Jacqui B), a cemetery sextant (TY John) and a Australian Railway Historical Society - Queensland Division all have in common.? This man 'The Honorable James Thorneloe Smith - M.L.C.M.I.C.E - Railway Engineer. The Helidon Cemetery is awash with history of the Lockyer Valley. Over the next few days more information to be added.

The main area of Railway Street after the fire. I believe this is the are about where Shoe Collections and the Doctors a...
12/06/2026

The main area of Railway Street after the fire. I believe this is the are about where Shoe Collections and the Doctors are now.

The aftermath of the 1934 Gatton Fire. The shops on the western side of Railway Street were destroyed - between the Impe...
12/06/2026

The aftermath of the 1934 Gatton Fire. The shops on the western side of Railway Street were destroyed - between the Imperial Hotel and the Commercial Hotel. I believe this photo shows where C B Wiggins shop was (the posts line up), where Vinnies is now. More photos soon.

Hazell's Garage. Sketchy research results but probably where Falconers Garage was, now where IGA is. Photo about 1925.
11/06/2026

Hazell's Garage. Sketchy research results but probably where Falconers Garage was, now where IGA is. Photo about 1925.

Address

Freeman Road
Gatton, QLD
4343

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 2pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 1:30pm
Thursday 10am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+61731594614

Website

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