Blackstone, Queensland
History
The district was originally called Bundamba Creek but this caused confusion with nearby Bundamba, so the postmistress Mrs Orr proposed the name Blackstone, believed to be a place in Ireland.
The area is renowned for its mining history and in 1866 Welshman Lewis Thomas established one of the first mines in the area. Blackstone has a rich Welsh history with Lewis Thomas having populated the community with Welsh miners and their families, who in turn established their own Cambrian choir and church in 1886, a School of Arts in 1891, a Soccer club in 1890, and public school in 1887.
After switching to mining at Dinmore in 1870, Thomas returned to open his first Aberdare Mine in 1876 and prospered thereafter. In 1881 the government granted him permission to build a private railway which developed by 1903 into a loop line connecting the mines from:
- Bundamba to Redbank:
- Blackheath
- Box Flat
- Fairbank
- Aberdare
- Bogside
- No 2, Mafeking
- Denham
- Swanbank
- Bonnie Dundee
- Rhondda
- Whitwood
- New Chum.
Blackstone Congregational Church was established in 1879 and was designed by architect Will Haenke. The church originally faced Thomas Street, but circa 1900 a new church building was constructed to face Mary Street with the original building being retained as a hall. In December 2007 the Samoan Methodist Church purchased the church with Samoan-language services being conducted from 27 January 2008.
Blackstone State School opened on 17 January 1887 and closed on 31 December 2009. The school was at 14 Hill Street (27°37′34″S 152°48′14″E / 27.626°S 152.804°E). The school's website was archived.
At some time after 1980, Bundamba Uniting Church and Blackstone Uniting Church joined Trinity Uniting Church in North Booval which was then renamed Trinity Ipswich Uniting Church.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Blackstone had a population of 1,017 people.
In the 2016 census, Blackstone had a population of 1,024 people.
In the 2021 census, Blackstone had a population of 1,144 people.
Heritage listings
Blackstone has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- 6 Thomas Street: United Welsh Church, Blackstone
- 14 Mary Street: Blackstone Congregational Church, Blackstone
- 20 Thomas Street: Cambrian House, Blackstone
- 16 Hill Street: Blackstone State School, Blackstone
Education
There are no schools in Blackstone. The nearest primary schools are in neighbouring Silkstone, Raceview and Bundamba. The nearest secondary schools are in Bundamba and Ipswich CBD (Bremer State High School).
Amenities
Samoan Methodist Church is at 14 Mary Street (corner Thomas Street, 27°37′31″S 152°48′01″E / 27.6253°S 152.8004°E). The original church entrance can be seen from Thomas Street, while the later church entrance can be seen from Mary Street.
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Blackstone (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Blackstone – suburb in City of Ipswich (entry 48353)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "Blackstone (entry 47394)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "Suburb and Place Names". Ipswich City Council. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Suburbs and Place Names: Blackstone". Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ "Samoan Methodist Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "Agency ID 4852, Blackstone State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Queensland state school - centre closures" (PDF). Queensland Government. 20 August 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ "14 Hill Street, Blackstone QLD 4304 - Land & Development Property For Sale | Commercial Real Estate". CommercialRealEstate.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ Chiclcott, Tanya; Vlasic, Kimberley (7 June 2013). "Full school asssets sale list". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "9442-37 Ipswich" (Map). Queensland Government. 1979. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Blackstone State School". Blackstone State School. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 17 September 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Local History – Trinity Ipswich Uniting Church". Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Blackstone (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Blackstone (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ "United Welsh Church, Blackstone (entry 600548)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Ipswich Heritage Study". Ipswich City Council. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "Samoan Methodist Church" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
Further reading
- Blackstone State School (1987), Back to Blackstone - the first 100 years : Blackstone State School 1887-1987, The School, retrieved 30 October 2019
External links
- "Blackstone and Bundamba". Queensland Places. University of Queensland.