In 1886, the Rosalie Police Station was established in a converted dwelling on the corner of Fernberg Road and Boys Road. It is first listed in Queensland Police Gazette on 1 January 1887. The land on which the Police Station would be built was part of a large holding, measuring just under 19 acres and identified as Portion 224, Parish of Enoggera. This portion was initially purchased from the Crown by John F. McDougall. In September 1881, McDougall sold it, following the sale the plot was subdivided into over 290 suburban-sized 16 perch allotments. The land was marketed as the “Rosalie Estate” with sales commencing in October 1881.
In March 1886, subdivisions 17, 18, 67 and 68 of Portion 224 were again advertised for sale. These four allotments ran between Fernberg Road and Mary Street (now Beck Street) and were bordered to the west by an as yet unnamed road, which would be later christened Charlotte Street (today’s Boys Street). Included in the sale was a new, lined and ceiled 6-roomed house, with verandahs, a double brick chimney and a large stove. As later maps show, there was no residence on subdivisions 67 and 68 until much later. The house advertised was most likely the house that was purchased and converted into the Rosalie Police station and residence the same year.
Rosalie Police Station, 1890s, JOL Neg 86953
The Rosalie Police Station was a simple, low-set timber cottage with a short-ridge pyramidal roof clad in corrugated iron and an open front verandah with a curved corrugated iron roof. This is consistent with the style of houses being built in Brisbane between the 1880s and the early 1900s, and congruent with many early homes built in the Rosalie and Paddington areas around this time.
Mrs Davis looking for a servant, 26 May 1897. Davis married Sarah Finn Cornelius Austin on 12 Dec 1885 (1885/C/1692)
Sergeant William Davis, pictured with his family above, took charge of the Rosalie Station in August 1896 and remained there until retirement in 1903. Sergeant Davis also served as the district registrar of births and deaths (QPG 1896, 294). In 1897, Rosalie was a four-men station staffed with an Officer-in-Charge, Sergeant Davis as well as his family, and 3 constables.
Davis was born in Ireland. Before he came to Australia, he served with the Irish Constabulary (post-1867 Royal Irish Constabulary), enlisting in 1865. He later resigned to emigrate to the colonies. Davis was appointed a constable with the Queensland Police Force on 23 April 1873. He was initially transferred to Beenleigh, then Wundah in 1890 and Pine River 6 months later. On 27 August 1896, he moved to Rosalie with his family. The North Pine community, where he was stationed between 1890 and 1896, was very sorry to see him go. At the end of October, a number of residents of North Pine paid a surprise visit to Sergeant Davis and his family:
They were accompanied by Mr Battersby, MLA for Moreton. During the evening Sergeant Davis was presented with a very handsome gold chain and pendant as a mark of the esteem in which he was held. The presentation was very felicitously made by Mr Battersby. After the healths of Sergeant and Mrs Davis had been honoured, the party returned to North Pine.
In the final years preceding his retirement, Sergeant Davis continued to tirelessly serve his local community. In mid-January 1898, the area was flooded and the local Redjacket swamp overflowed. As the waters receded, Sergeant Davis assisted by his men and the Milton volunteer firemen was reported helping the residents to clean up.
On 9 November 1902, Sergeant Davis found a dying man in Gregory’s paddock around 10 o’clock at night. The man was taken to the General Hospital by ambulance, he died shortly after admission.
Davis retired on 6 June 1903, he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal half a year later, on 3 December 1904. Davis died in Spring Hill on 9 December 1916 (1916/B/24570).
The police station house in its original state was either demolished or moved by 1911. The plans from the year show another simple timber and tin cottage, a new Police Station built on a similar footprint.
Rosalie Police Station Plan, 1911
By 1935, a gabled projection had been added to the front of the building, facing Fernberg Road. Many other alterations and extensions have been undertaken since then, but the 1911 station building appears to remain at the core of the current house at 118 Fernberg Road, Paddington.
1927 map Rosalie PS cnr Fernberg and Boys or Stevenson St
DP774 1935
In September 1964, it was recommended the station close. The Rosalie Division was to be absorbed ‘principally in Torwood Division, but with small parts going into Bardon and Red Hill Divisions; that two men and Mini Minor car be transferred from Rosalie to Torwood; that the motor cycle outfit be transferred from Torwood to Roma Street for use by inquiry stuff’.
In 1964, ten Morris Minor 850s were purchased to patrol Hamilton and Banyo. Pictured here at the Petrie Terrace Depot. In suburban Brisbane in the early 1960s Morris Mini Minors were the usual station vehicle, but on Friday and Saturday nights Ford Falcons were also brought into action. PM3577
Presently, the house is a residential dwelling.
The house today. Photo by Marianne Taylor, www.housedetective.com.au
The content was researched and written by Dr Anastasia Dukova and Marianne Taylor, The House Detective, from the best resources available.
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“FROM the VAULT – Rosalie Police Station” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode