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Windmill Tower
| Source: |
Go to the Queensland Heritage Register for more information. |
| Identifier: |
600173 |
| Location: |
Wickham Terrace |
Local
Government: |
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL |
| State: |
QLD |
| Country: |
AUSTRALIA |
Statement of
Significance: |
Not only is the windmill tower the oldest remaining convict building in Queensland, it is the oldest windmill tower extant in Australia. The Wickham Terrace windmill tower therefore is of national significance. In its fabric the building reflects various phases and achievements in the history of Brisbane. The old windmill has been an important landmark since its construction.
The windmill tower is a visual record of the historical evolution of Brisbane. It first played a vital role in the existence of the Moreton Bay penal settlement by providing flour for survival and later as a steamer signal station, fire-spotting observation tower and site for pioneering communications' experiments. The old windmill is one of only two remaining Brisbane convict-built structures. The old Commissariat Store also played a pivotal role in the convict era; however, it was the windmill and treadmill which were used for convict punishment. As the oldest industrial building extant in Queensland and the oldest windmill tower in Australia, it also exemplifies an industrial process no longer used. From the 1860s to 1920s Brisbanites also depended on the windmill for notification of shipping arrivals and the correct time. Thus the windmill played an important and unique role in the everyday life of the community. The windmill site has potential to reveal sub-surface archaeological evidence. An exploratory dig was conducted in 1989-90. Brisbane's windmill tower is older and more significant than any other windmill still standing in Australia. There are windmill tower ruins to be found in most Australian states but the few extant ones were built after 1830, by non-convicts for free enterprise. The finest remaining examples of tower mills are the 1837 Callington Mill in Tasmania built by John Vincent, the 1835 mill in South Perth, Western Australia and the South Australian mill at Mt Barker. None of Sydney's nineteen windmill towers has survived. Since the 1850s the windmill has been regarded as a significant Brisbane landmark on an important green hilltop overlooking the central city and a focus of community identity. Though most of Queensland's convict built structures have been demolished, the windmill remains as a evocative reminder of the convict past. The windmill converted to a signal station was an innovative and important means of communication, while later it was associated with pioneering work in electronic communications. Since the 1850s the windmill has been regarded as a significant Brisbane landmark on an important green hilltop overlooking the central city and a focus of community identity. Though most of Queensland's convict built structures have been demolished, the windmill remains as a evocative reminder of the convict past. |
| Description: |
History Description
The old windmill is an 1820s convict built structure. There is no record of who ordered its construction or when, but it was known to be operating by late 1828. A treadmill formerly attached to the windmill was used in calmer weather and when the windmill was needing repair. The initial purpose was to grind flour, but the treadmill was also used for punishment. During the convict era two Aborigines were hanged on Windmill Hill, apparently from a window above the perimeter platform. In the late 1830s the miller was Martin Frawley, who still operated the mill for the free settlement in 1845 as an ex-convict. The government put the windmill up for auction in 1849, but such was the local outcry that it was retained as a landmark for public use. It was converted to a signal station in 1861. The architect was Charles Tiffin and the work was carried out by John Petrie, the prominent contractor and mayor of Brisbane, who replaced the rotating cap and arms and added a fifth floor. A flagstaff was erected in 1865 for flying shipping signals received by telegraph from Fort Lytton. The 1 pm time ball was replaced in 1866 by a time gun and the present time ball, installed in 1894, which was dropped until the mid 1950s. During the 1890s the roof was used by the fire brigade for night fire-spotting. From 1922 to 1926 the tower served the Institute of Radio Engineers for meetings and experiments, and during the 1930s and 1940s it was the venue for pioneer television broadcasting. Brisbane City Council started negotiating for its ownership with the state government during 1921.
Place Description
The former windmill is a rendered stone and brick tower, circular in shape, tapering towards the top, with a lookout platform which has an iron railing and hexagonal cabin. The timber collar for the cap employed local timber. On top of the cabin sits a copper time ball and its mast. Internal hexagonal stairs wind continuously around a single central pole from the ground floor to the observation deck. There are five floors; all but the ground floor are of wooden construction, as are the stairs. The three casement windows are not in line one above the other, as a structurally sound arrangement. The tiny windows that currently provide illumination for the top floor are another unique aspect. |
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