Chamber and building owners working together to preserve Russell Street’s history

The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and local business owners are teaming up to keep part of the city’s history alive. Here’s how:

Russell St in the Toowoomba CBD, looking east.

A new initiative will work with the owners of heritage buildings along Russell St to preserve the area’s history.

The Toowoomba Chamber and the Toowoomba Historical Society will work with owners of heritage buildings in Russell St to install plaques detailing the area’s past.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl said the project was a neat way to promote business and celebrate the historic role business has played in the city’s evolution and development.

“It complements the work of the Toowoomba Regional Council heritage walks and will demonstrate how the city’s original main street was a microcosm of business activity,” Mr Rohl said.

“The home of the city’s original heritage festival, the business history plaques will be a boastful reminder of how it catered for all the needs of Toowoomba residents in the day.”

Toowoomba Historical Society vice-president Emeritus Professor Maurice French said it had been exciting to research and understand the important and changing nature Russell St played in the development of the city.

“Take Rowes Furniture Store at 44 Russell Street, for example, which through its history has housed a drapery shop, ironmongery, Woolworths, music store and even had residences located upstairs,” Prof French said.

“This project will demonstrate our rich historical tapestry which is so important in understanding business development and growth.”

The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Toowoomba Historical Society will now work with owners to develop plaques for the front of their buildings to celebrate business history.