Masonry Cottage

The 1880s was a boom period for Brisbane as immigration and trade contributed to economic prosperity. Sandgate shared in this development. With the completion of the Brisbane to Sandgate rail line in 1882, Sandgate became the premier seaside resort for Brisbane and beyond.

The Connaught property was transferred to John MacDonald’s wife Margaret in 1893. After the death of John MacDonald in 1897, their son, Alexander Sydney MacDonald, a farmer, became Margaret’s sole financial support. Although Margaret married John Mitchell in 1899, she was again dependant on her son from 1905 until he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in 1916. Alexander McDonald served in France where he was tragically killed in action in April 1918 while serving with the 49th Battalion.

During the course of WWI Margaret Mitchell was involved in many patriotic and fund-raising campaigns, particularly with the Australian Red Cross. After the war Margaret was a dynamic force in the establishment of a local war memorial in Sandgate and became a very active member of the Sandgate Memorial Committee, raising funds for that cause too. The impressive Sandgate War Memorial was unveiled in February 1924. In 1927, during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Brisbane, Margaret Mitchell was presented with an award for her exceptional efforts in raising funds for the memorial.

In 1923 title to the Connaught Street property was transferred into the names of both Margaret Mitchell and her grand-daughter Margaret Jane Barbour. Margaret Mitchell died in April 1932 and the property remained in the ownership of Margaret Barbour.

1. Brisbane Courier, 1864-1933

2. World War I service record A S MacDonald. NAA barcode 1844533

3. John Oxley Library, Nashville Estate Map c 1889

4. ‘Sandgate from Days gone by’, Sandgate Historical Society

5. ‘Sandgate by the Seaside’, Sandgate Historical Society

6. Queensland Title Deeds