188 Clarence Road, Indooroopilly

English born Henry Hunter had moved to Queensland from Tasmania, reputedly because a combination of an economic downturn in Tasmania and his own personal health reasons. Hunter reputedly ‘came to dominate the local architectural scene’ in Hobart and its environs, designing many buildings which includes the Tasmanian Museum, Art Gallery, the Town Hall and St Helen’s Hospital.1 He had practised in Hobart for over 30 years.

While previously holding many distinguished positions in Tasmania, which included serving on the Tasmanian Board of Education (1875-84), Central Board of Health (1866-88) and on the Council of Education as an examiner in drawing, Henry Hunter helped in the formation of the Queensland Institute of Architects and served as president in 1890-91.

Upon his arrival in Queensland Hunter formed a partnership with his son Walter and  L.G Corrie. The partnership was dissolved in March 1892. Hunter then formed a partnership with his son Walter that lasted until his death in October 1892.

The house was obviously constructed shortly after Hunter’s arrival in Queensland. The firm Hunter and Corrie, during the short time of its existence, were quite successful. Their work included the Brisbane Stock Exchange, Queensland Deposit Bank (cnr Albert and Adelaide Streets, Brisbane) and additions to All Hallows Convent at Petrie Bight. 

At the time of construction of Hunter’s residence Brisbane had been experiencing a land and building boom which by c.1888 was reaching its peak. By c.1889-90 the boom had turned to bust and this hailed the onset of a depression which lasted well into the 1890s. Locally Indooroopilly was being described as

A suburban village, four miles distant from Brisbane, with which it is connected by railway.1

Other statistics provide an indication that the Indooroopilly had developed during this boom period of the 1880s. The railway provided daily transport allowing workers to commute to their place of work. The rateable properties were 4,000 in number while there were 1200 ratepayers on the roll. 650 dwellings were said to exist and the area had population of 3000.

Walter Hunter only practised as an architect for a short period before moving to Camboon. Apparently Walter ventured into farming, first at Camboon, before relocating Dalby. The 1900 Post Office Directory (POD) discloses Walter Hunter as a Justice of the Peace.

Walter Hunter had actually acquired the property, prior to his father’s death, in February 1892. At the time of purchase he took at a mortgage of 700/-/-. Even though Walter Hunter had left Brisbane he retained ownership of the residence, preferring to rent the property out. Among those who rented the property were the future owners Trevor and Marjory Fowler who purchased the property from Hunter in 1919. During the following years the house had a number of owners. It is highly probable that Hunter Street took its name from the Hunter family.

Originally this house had a front yard extending to Lambert Rd. As evidenced by the front stairs and door on the northern side of the house, now accessed down the northern side boundary from Clarence Rd. What was designed as the side of the house fronts Clarence Rd. and the rear of the house is visible from Hunter St. It is an indication of the generosity of the original design that the Clarence Rd. Elevation of the house is still impressive. The extension of the western veranda into an octagonal rotunda on the northern corner of the house is of particular note.

This house features paired veranda posts with lattice infill and a criss-cross balustrade, moderately unusual features for a house of this period in Brisbane, especially as they are combined with a single plane of roof from the ridge to the veranda edge.  These features seem to give weight to the idea, contained in the history of this house, of a Tasmanian architect experimenting with local building vernacular on his arrival in Brisbane.

1. Donald Watson, and Judith McKay. Queensland Architects of the 19th Century: A Biographical Dictionary. (Brisbane: Qld Museum, 1994). p.101

2. Post Office Directory. 1889. p.60A

3. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol.4. 1851 - 1890. D - J. pp. 448-450

4. Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans

5. Department of Natural Resources, Queensland Certificates of Title and other records, Environmental Protection Agency

6. Fisher, Rod & Crozier, Brian. The Queensland House: A Roof Over Our Heads. (Brisbane: Queensland. 1994)

7. Watson, Donald and Judith McKay. Queensland Architects of the 19th Century: A Biographical Dictionary. Brisbane: Queensland Museum, 1994