Hide Store (former)

Three important events prompted industrial development of this area in the 1890s - the construction of the Colonial Sugar Refinery and its wharf at the New Farm end of the Bulimba Reach in 1893, the completion of the Bulimba rail branch in 1897 and the growth of Queensland's primary industries which took place in this decade. 

Eventually this area attracted Brisbane's most important specialised wharves, devoted to the handling of wool.  The woolstores themselves were constructed in response to the economic fortunes of the industry. Most of the stores were constructed during the two boom periods between 1909 and 1915 and in the 1920s, however some were built in the mid 1930s, and the last two were constructed in the 1950s. Wool was railed to the stores, displayed under good lighting and stored until it was sold. It was then pressed and baled and trolleyed onto the wharves, where it was loaded onto ships for export.

In 1912 George, Murray and Sydney Wilcox and Glen Legoe purchased subdivisions 65 and 66 of Allotment 59, which had once belonged to Daniel Skyring. Wilcox and Co were hide and skin merchants with offices in Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton and branches throughout Queensland. Shortly after purchasing the land, they built this rather austere store, which was first mentioned in Post Office Directories in 1914. Apart from this store, the nature of Helen Street was predominantly residential until the 1930s when industry began to encroach more heavily on this area. The company changed its name to Wilcox Mofflin Ltd in 1918 and in 1926 sold this store to George Willoughby Whatmore Junior, of Willoughby and Co, importers. Following the sale, Wilcox Mofflin constructed a larger wool, hide, tallow and fur store in Longlands Street, Newstead.

Although the wool industry dominated this area, there were many other primary produce related facilities established here. An indication of the significance of hides and skins in Queensland’s pastoral exports, as part of a Primary Industry based economy, in £ terms is produced in the following statistics; 1917-1918 (£199,991), 1923-1924 (£418,091), and 1924-1925 (£660,148). Tallow exports were also significant; 1923-1924 (£418,091) and 1924-1925 (£660,148), an increase of £242,057 in this period alone.

After purchasing the Helen Street store, the following year the Willoughby Trust purchased land adjacent to it and constructed a motor workshop. In 1932 the store was sold to Sturmfels Primary Producers Co-operative, which later merged with Queensland Primary Producers Co-operative.

1. Martin, E. Teneriffe Woolstores Heritage Study, Brisbane City Council: 1992

2. Titles Office Records

3. Post Office Directories.

4. Queensland Parliamentary Papers