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Local History Sites
Lowood Police Station (1893/1937)
Details
Address
Cnr Main & Prospect Streets
Lowood
Qld
4311
Description
District's first Police Station
The district's first police station was built at Wivenhoe (Pocket) in the 1880s but was washed away in the devastating floods of February 1893.
It was replaced with a new police station, holding cells and residence at Lowood, despite strong lobbying by residents of Fernvale who wanted the new station located there.
In October 1893 The Queensland Times reported, "The police quarters, which have been moved from Wivenhoe since the February floods, are located on ground removed but a stone's throw from the site of the new Anglican Church, and Constable Purcer is the officer at present in charge of the station."
Church bell doubles as fire alarm
St Mark's Church at Wivenhoe had also been lost in the 1893 floods and Lowood was chosen as its new home. In 1894 it was re-built next to the Lowood Police Station (and later renamed St James's).
Police and civilians used the church bell as a fire alarm to alert the town's residents whenever fires broke out in town.
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Police facilities updated and expanded
In January 1909 The Brisbane Courier reported that the police station was to be enlarged to include a new court room, police magistrate's room, officers' quarters and two new cells.
First plane to land in Lowood
According to The Queensland Times in October 1930 the first plane to visit Lowood landed in a paddock behind the police station. Owned by Brisbane Airways, the plane called "Wunder Wunder" circled Lowood before being guided to a safe landing by Acting Sergeant Munckton.
Original buildings out-grown, new Police Station built
In 1937 the old Lowood police buildings were demolished and a new station was built. In January 1938 The Queensland Times reported, "The old Police Station was pulled down and a fine new station and residence have been erected. The station and grounds are kept beautifully..."
Today this fine building is still used as the police residence. A modern Police Station operates around the corner in Main Street, next to Lowood Memorial Bowling Club.