At the busy intersection of Gympie and Stafford Roads in Kedron, few motorists today realise they’re passing through what was once known as “Barron’s Corner” – a place that tells a remarkable story of Scottish immigration, pioneering spirit, and early Brisbane life.
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From Scotland to Brisbane’s Kedron
In the mid-1850s, Alexander and Amelia Barron (née Smith) embarked on an extraordinary journey from Moray, Scotland. After a gruelling 92-day voyage aboard the Monsoon, they arrived in Brisbane, ready to forge a new life in a land where, as they would discover, everything seemed “upside-down” in the Southern Hemisphere.
Building Forresville
In 1856, the Barrons made a decision that would shape the future of Brisbane’s northern suburbs. They purchased a prime 33.6-hectare property for £83 ($166) – a substantial sum for the time.
They named their new home “Forresville,” after “Forres,” the name of their home in Scotland. The property boasted the greatest frontage to Kedron Brook, northern Brisbane’s major waterway, which meandered along their eastern boundary.
The Barron family legacy lives on today at 29 Jack Street, where their 1880s homestead still stands – now heritage-listed as a testament to early Brisbane construction. The house itself tells a story of resourcefulness and craftsmanship, built by the Barrons using timber harvested from their own land.
They selected the finest local materials available: silky oak, cedar, and pine that grew abundantly in the surrounding bushland. This detail, passed down through generations of owners and family members, speaks to the self-sufficient nature of Brisbane’s early settlers and their intimate connection to the land they cultivated.
From Sawyer to Dairy Farmer
Alexander’s path to establishing his farm wasn’t immediate. He initially worked as a sawyer in the colony, saving and preparing to realise his agricultural dreams. His experience with timber would later prove invaluable in constructing the family home.
Eventually, he established a successful dairy herd and developed fertile fields where he grew potatoes and various vegetables. The Barron brothers would later become well-known blacksmiths, operating their forge at what would become known as Barron’s Corner.
Living with the Land
Life along Kedron Brook brought both benefits and challenges. The Brook, with its 29-kilometre course dropping 220 metres and draining a catchment area of 110 square kilometres, provided essential water but also posed risks.
The family witnessed several major Brisbane floods, including the great floods of 1864, 1887, 1890, and 1893. Today, this flood-prone history is reflected in the parklands and sporting facilities that line much of Kedron Brook’s channelized course.
A Legacy Cut Short
Tragedy struck in 1872 when Alexander, aged just 49, died from tetanus contracted while digging potatoes on his farm. His final resting place in Lutwyche Cemetery lies less than two kilometres north of his beloved Forresville, where he was later joined by Amelia. The family’s deep roots in the area are evidenced by the five of their seven children and various grandchildren who also rest in Lutwyche Cemetery.
The intersection’s historical significance was recognised when the Kedron Shire Council chose it as the location for their first Kitson light. While most of the original structures are gone, the Barron homestead at 29 Jack Street stands as a remarkable survivor of the area’s pioneering days. Its heritage listing ensures that this tangible link to the Barron family’s contribution to Brisbane’s development will be preserved for future generations.
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Modern-day Gordon Park now occupies much of what was once Forresville, but the Barrons’ legacy lives on in their carefully crafted home and the name that old-time residents still use for this historic corner of Brisbane’s north. Their story represents countless others who helped shape Brisbane from a colonial outpost into the vibrant city it is today.
Published 6-November-2024