Historic Link to Moreton Bay Region’s Underbelly Remains

THEY’RE two buildings criminals in the 1800s would have been keen to avoid, but their link to our region’s underbelly is exactly what fascinates people today.

Built in 1882 at No.5 Old Dayboro Rd, the former North Pine Courthouse was a place where minor offences were heard by a magistrate. It was used until 1965 when it was replaced by a brick building and moved to Kallangur for use by the North Pine Baptist Church for nearly 20 years.

This was the first historic building to be relocated to Old Petrie Town in 1982 and remains the oldest known government building remaining in the district of Pine Rivers, other than the old police cell block next door.

A police presence was established in the district in December 1875, with the appointment of senior constable John Farquharson, and so there was a need for somewhere to hold

Built in the same year, the cell block shows records it accommodated prisoners as early as February 1876.

It was sold for removal in 1965, becoming a garden shed before it was donated to North Pine Country Park, now known as Old Petrie Town, in 1983 by Percy Leitch.

SNAPSHOT IN TIME

Take a trip to Old Petrie Town and take a look at these historic buildings and many others.

Where: Dayboro Rd, Whiteside

When: Some shops are open 9am-4pm Wednesday to Sunday, but there’s more to see on weekends particularly at the markets on Sundays.