Bromley (former)

The house is more modest than many of the grand homes built at Hamilton. This is in keeping with the pattern of development of the area established in the mid-nineteenth century which continued into the twentieth century. The prime building sites on the most elevated land with views of the river were built upon by the wealthy politicians and professional classes while lower streets provided homes for middleclass residents and tradespeople.

Frederick Baker was one of several brothers who established Baker Bros, a successful Brisbane painting and decorating business in the late nineteenth century. Frederick’s father, James, immigrated with his wife and children to Brisbane from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire circa 1876 on the ship, The Scottish Prince. Frederick’s brothers who were involved in the family business were Enoch, Tom, James and Martin (also known as Morton). Frederick later became the manager of the firm in the 1910s.

Subsequent generations of the Baker family continued to develop the business, diversifying into building and paint manufacturing. Baker Brothers were the first manufacturers of paint in Queensland, building a factory below Cloudland Ballroom at Bowen Hills (both since demolished). By the 1950s, Baker Brothers was the biggest painting firm in Brisbane, employing 125 painters. After Cyclone Tracey destroyed Darwin in 1974, the Baker Brothers played a significant role in the reconstruction of the city, remaining for ten years to assist with the rebuilding. Today, the fifth generation of Bakers, Paul and Jason, are continuing in the painting industry in Brisbane.

Some years after Baker Bros was established with premises at 100 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley, Elizabeth Baker acquired the parcel of 41 perches in Royal Terrace in September 1907. Frederick and Elizabeth built a house on the site, naming it ‘Bromley’. After the death of Elizabeth in 1923, the title passed to her husband, Frederick, who sold it in 1938. 

The house originally straddled two lots opposite the intersection of Royal Terrace and Pine Street. In the late 1990s, these lots were reconfigured, the house relocated a short distance to the south of the site and a new house built on the new smaller allotment to the north (now 17 Royal Terrace). Despite this change, the original home has an important visual presence at this intersection. While more modest than many of the grander residences built in Hamilton at the turn of the century, the house with its projecting side and front gables and decorative timber filigree elements provides an attractive termination to the vista of Pine Street.

1. Brisbane Courier, 1866-1933

2. Queensland Electoral Rolls

3. Queensland Title Deeds

4. Queensland Post Office Directories

5. Phone conversation with Bob Baker, 10 Jan 2013

6. Conversation with Laurie Jones, descendant of Baker family, 15 Jan 2013