Addresses
Type of place
Monument / memorial, State school, Tree/s
Period
Federation 1890-1914, Interwar 1919-1939, Postwar 1945-1960
Style
Arts and Crafts, Free Classical
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Eagle Junction State School
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Eagle Junction Memorial gates
Eagle Junction State School, Memorial gates, fence & trees
Addresses
Type of place
Monument / memorial, State school, Tree/s
Period
Federation 1890-1914, Interwar 1919-1939, Postwar 1945-1960
Style
Arts and Crafts, Free Classical
Eagle Junction State School, originally known as Clayfield School, was built in 1895 in response to the growing local population and an increasing need for a permanent school in the local area. The school was almost immediately overcrowded, a problem that continued right through to the 1930s, forcing extensions of the main school building in 1897, 1905 and 1911. Wrought iron memorial gates were erected outside the school in 1924 to honour the memory of former staff and students who had served in World War I and a memorial library was similarly opened in 1949 in honour of those who had served in World War II. The western wing of the original school building was destroyed by fire in the 1970s, however it has since been rebuilt.
Also known as
Clayfield School
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
Clayfield School
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
The school officially opened in July 1895 as the Clayfield School. The name was changed to Eagle Junction State School in 1901 to avoid confusion as Eagle Junction railway station was closer to the school than Clayfield station.
The first extension was built in 1897 as the school had rapidly become overcrowded. This was a problem which continued into the 1920s as the district became more and more populated. Further extensions followed in 1905 and 1911, creating the “H” shape of the school which exists today. (The western wing of the school was destroyed by fire in 1975). An open air annexe was added on the western side of the main school buildings in 1918. This was remodelled in the 1970s to create the assembly hall. The assembly hall was replaced by a three storey building including a Multi-Function area in 1993.
The school’s population continued to grow with 1300 pupils were enrolled in 1924. School numbers peaked in the late 1920s. This decade also saw the school extensively modelled, including the raising of the main “H” buildings.
In 1924, wrought iron memorial gates were erected in memory of ex-pupils and staff who served in World War I. The gates were designed by Commonwealth Architect, Evan Smith. Another momentous occasion of the 1920s was the visit by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).
By World War II, school numbers had begun to decrease as the local population aged. Fundraising after the war produced the means to remodel two classrooms as a library. A stained glass window was included and the Memorial Library was officially opened on 21 May 1949.
In the 1980s, as the old homes in Clayfield were renovated and new families moved to the area, the population of Eagle Junction State School began to increase again. This brought the necessary impetus to rebuild the western wing of the school in Roseby Avenue that had been destroyed by fire in the 1970s.
Various other changes to the site have occurred during its long history. Recently built buildings and those which have been extensively altered have been excluded from the listing boundary.
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 Building Cards
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Brisbane City Council aerial photographs 1946 and 2001
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QPP 1919-1920. Vol 3. Dept of Works Annual Report
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Roberts, Angela and Valda O’Keeffe. Eagle Junction State School 1895-1995: Celebrating our Centenary. Brisbane: Lettuce Create, 1995?
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)