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. Check them out at Old Petrie Town.

Inside the old jail cell at Old Petrie Town. Photo: Dominika Lis

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.

The former North Pine Courthouse was built in 1882 at No.5 Old Dayboro Rd and 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.

The old courthouse at Old Petrie Town. Photo: Dominika Lis

It was the first historic building moved to Old Petrie Town in 1982 and remains the oldest known government building preserved in the Pine Rivers district, other than the old police cell block which now stands next to it.

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 prisoners.

The old jail cell at Old Petrie Town. Photo: Dominika Lis

The cell block was built the same year and records show it accommodated prisoners as early as February 1876.

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

The lock on the old jail cell at Old Petrie Town. Photo: Dominika Lis

SNAPSHOT IN TIME

Take a look at these historic buildings and many others at Old Petrie Town

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.