Mount Lang

Bulimba is one of the oldest Brisbane suburbs. The development of this locality is typical of many small Brisbane communities, however, its distance from Brisbane and paucity of transport did affect its growth. The seventeenth school registered in Queensland was the Bulimba school erected in 1866. The first known church service was a Methodist service conducted on the McConnell’s property and a primitive Methodist Church was built by 1856. The second church in the area was the Presbyterian Church established in 1881, followed by the building of St John the Baptist Anglican Church in 1888. It was in 1885 that the locality felt the need for a public meeting place and a library and a School of Arts was opened in 1887. The area became self-governing when the Bulimba Divisional Board was created in 1879 – it became the Balmoral Shire in 1901.

While several industries were established in the electorate of Bulimba during the late nineteenth century, and Apollo Candleworks was established in 1888, it was during the inter-war period that industrial growth really occurred in Bulimba with manufacturers and engineering works such as Marino, Hornibrook and Rheem.

Much of Bulimba was subdivided during the 1880s land boom as was sub 2 of Portion 9 parish of Bulimba which was subdivided as Bulimba Point Estate by Henry Arthur Veron in 1886. Portion 9 was alienated by James Johnston and Henderson Street was created and named after an 1880s owner, John Baille Henderson.

Alfred Harrison acquired resubs 82 to 86 in December 1914, fronting what was then called Main Street. About 1926, not long after the formation of greater Brisbane, this road was re-named Harrison Street after the owner of the house on the hill. He built his home, Mt Lang, in about 1920 and first appears in the Post Office Directory of 1921.

Both Alfred and Ellen Harrison nee Johnston were long-time residents of the district. She was the older sister of an early Bulimba Point farmer, some of the Johnston children were amongst those enrolled on the first day. Johnston Street, Bulimba was named after this family. The Harrison’s house was named for the Johnston family’s old Bulimba residence, which was standing as early as 1855.

Alfred Harrison, a carrier and customs agent, was very involved in his local community’s affairs. In the early 1920s he was President of the Local Show Committee and Bowling Club. He was the Chairman of the Balmoral Shire Council 1916-17 and from 1920 to the establishment of Greater Brisbane and he was also the districts first BCC Alderman serving until 1928. In 1947 his long service to Bulimba State School was recognised when he was presented with a bronze plaque.

Harrison was the first Chairman of the Balmoral and Coorparoo Joint Electric Supply Board which was established in 1920. He played an important part in the introduction of electricity to these areas. By 1924, a sub-station and 16 miles of high and low tension mains had been laid and about 600 homes supplied with electricity.

This house on the cusp of Mt Lang, takes its name from this geographical feature. Apparently the hill was name to honour Dr Lang who enticed so many immigrants to Queensland, including some of the Bulimba pioneers.

After Alfred Harrison’s death subs 82 to 84 were purchased by Robert Spenser family were very involved in local sailing, as were most of the residents in this area. The Bulimba reach has played an important role in the annals of sailing in Brisbane.

The square shaped building is roofed with a pyramidal form galvanised iron roof which extends down over the verandah. A triangular pediment decorated with timber battening defines the entry at the top of the T-shaped entry steps. Timber lattice doors further define the entry. The open verandah extends across the full width of the building and once returned partially along both sides. The side verandahs have been enclosed by the addition of timber framed 5 panel casement windows above the handrail level. This enclosure is easily reversible.

The Chamferboard balustrade to the verandah is canned with a timber handrail. The top of this balustrade is scalloped out between the timber verandah posts with this scalloping decorated with open spaced timber battening. A modest, slightly cambered verandah bracket/valance directly under the verandah plate spans between the undecorated timber verandah posts.

The residence is sheeted externally with timber chamferboards whilst the protected walls to the verandah are lined with T& GV.1 boarding.

The subfloor area is enclosed with vertical timber battening between the concrete stumps. The stumps and battening have been painted in the same colour.

The square shaped plan form contains a central hallway. Part of this hallway has been incorporated into the living room. The building contains 3 bedrooms, living room which extends into a sitting room with a small window alcove, large dining room, kitchen with a stove recess, pantry and a small bathroom. The living/sitting room is divided by a battened archway/frieze incorporating coloured glass panels at each side. The walls are generally lined with T& G VJ boarding with a moulded timber picture rail. 

The ceilings are generally lined with plywood and timber coverstrips over the joints. The ceiling to the kitchen is sheeted with T & G boards. The flooring is 150 mm wide pine T & G boarding. Doors are generally panelled doors with battened fanlights above.

Apart from minor alterations, the building in its original condition and is a rare example of an intact early Interwar residence. 

The front timber picket fence with its portal entry is in keeping with the style of building.

1. Brisbane City Council. Building Card

2. Queensland. Certificates of Title

3. Queensland. Post Office Directories

4. Digitised newspapers and other records. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper