Historical Panoramas of Brisbane

These are a series of panoramas of Brisbane in the early years from 1862 to 1897.   These panoramas can be accessed by the links at both the top and bottom of the page.    These panoramas were constructed from images on the State Library of Queensland's pictorial database and knitted together using an image editor.    The individual images in some cases were not of the same consistent quality and hence a patchwork appearance is evident.

The Wickham Terrace panoramas are taken from Wickham Terrace at the Observatory (what is known as the Windmill) or in near proximity.   They document the changing face of Brisbane in the 30 year period.   Certain landmarks remain consistent.

The Bowen Terrace panorama was photographed by Slater in 1870 from Bowen Terrace in New Farm.   The city of Brisbane is depicted from the river frontage with early wharf construction at Eagle Street.   Gas lighting which was introduced to Brisbane some years earlier has its evidence in the Gas Works on the river's edge.   Limited industrialization and housing at Kangaroo Point is shown as well as the pristine nature of what is now Wooloongabba and East Brisbane. 

In 1888 an artist, named Clarson, drew a 'bird's eye' view of Brisbane.   This was an astonishing task given that he drew this without being elevated into the sky.   It shows in accurate detail the buildings and layout of Brisbane.   The image is 4 times larger that the computer screen so that the intricate nature of the drawing can be portrayed.   You need to navigate with the page sliders to fully view the image.

The Roma Street Railway Station panorama was taken from the smoke stack of the newly completed powerhouse at Petrie Terrace.   This powerhouse generated electricity for the city's trams.   It depicts the development of the Roma Street region.

[ Wickham Tce 1862 ] [ Bowen Tce 1870 ] [ Wickham Tce 1870 ] [ Wickham Tce 1875 ] [ Wickham Tce 1886 ] [ Clarson 1888 ] [ Wickham Tce 1895 ] [ Roma St Station ]