In 1840, Patrick Leslie and Peter Murphy passed through the area. On the Darling Downs, was a resting point for travelers and bullock teams crossing at the Leslie Crossing. The area was later known as Canal Creek, and now as Leyburn. The creek running through Leyburn is a tributary of the Condamine River. In 1859, when Queensland became a separate state from New South Wales, Leyburn was the 6th largest settlement in the state of Queensland.
The Royal Hotel, 1863, is the oldest continually licensed hotel in Queensland. It was built of brick at a cost of 3,000 pounds. The owner, James Murray died the same year suffering from the effects of drinking. His wife Catherine took over the license for some years. The Royal Hotel is the last hotel of 8 originally in Leyburn.
Across the road is the oldest dwelling in Leyburn. Granall was built in 1856 by James Murray as his private residence. The house has also been a Coffee House, and later a boarding house for the Royal Hotel across the road. It has also served as a Court House, and for church services.
Gold was discovered in small amounts between 1863 and 1872, but it was the by-passing of the railway that lead to the decline of the town. It was the site of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, and it is commemorated every August with the Leyburn Sprints.
Liberator Park was established in 1985 by the Progress Association. It has a Sprint Car model (above), and a memorial to the men of 200 Special Duties Flight Squadrons and Army Z Special Operations Unit who were stationed in Leyburn in 1944 and 1945.
The Heritage Sundial was built in 1992 using relics from the district. 
The grave of pioneer Henry Kirby, who with his wife ran the local store and inn. In 1854, aged 41, Henry became lost while on a mail run and died. He is buried on Dove street.
No comments:
Post a Comment