Addresses
Type of place
Cottage, House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Huttons Factory Workers Cottage
Hutton's Factory Workers Cottage
Addresses
Type of place
Cottage, House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This cottage was likely built by J.C. Hutton's Ham and Bacon Factory as accommodation for staff. Hutton's built several houses for general staff in Zillmere Road as well as houses for its management personnel in nearby Weston Street. This house is thought to be one of only two remaining such houses in Zillmere road.
Lot plan
L54_RP26242
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
J. C. Hutton (Occupant);J.C. Hutton?s Ham and Bacon factory (Association)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Lot plan
L54_RP26242
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
J. C. Hutton (Occupant);J.C. Hutton?s Ham and Bacon factory (Association)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
In 1880, James Caruthers Hutton, the proprietor of the Hutton’s Bacon Curing Company of Victoria, purchased a pineapple farm at Zillmere Hill, situated between Zillmere Road and Cabbage Tree Creek in Zillmere. He began construction of a bacon and ham processing factory and operations began at the new factory on 3 June 1880. The company produced the well-known "Pineapple" brand of ham products.
This factory remained the largest single employer in the district until its closure in 1965. During the 1890s Depression and again during the Great Depression (1929-39), Huttons provided the only source of employment for many of the struggling farmers in the district. The factory also became a district store where the local residents were able to buy meat and milk. Because so many local residents worked at the factory, Huttons became an integral part of the Zillmere community, even organising such social events such as picnics, fancy dress parties and cricket matches. Huttons had a number of worker's cottages built for its general staff along Zillmere Road and near the Zillmere Station, while homes for managerial staff were constructed in Weston Street on a hill overlooking the factory.
Huttons was a major Queensland small goods company with an 85-year connection to the Zillmere District. Yet little remains of Hutton’s links to Zillmere. At the former Hutton’s Ham and Bacon Factory site, only a fig tree planted circa 1891 remains. Along Zillmere Road, all but two of the ten worker’s cottages built for Hutton’s general staff have been demolished.
The subdivision on which this house stands was purchased by Hutton's in 1893 and the house itself was presumably built soon afterwards. Hutton's sold the property in 1950.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Brisbane City Council, Properties on the Web, website, post-1946 building cards
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Brisbane City Council, 1946 aerial photographs.
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Brisbane City Council’s Central Library, local history sheets
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Department of Natural Resources, Queensland Certificates of title and other records.
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John Oxley Library, Brisbane Suburbs – Estate Maps
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Queensland Post Office Directories, 1868-1949
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)