At the turn of the 20th century the Brisbane river front from Merthyr Road along to New Farm Park consisted of nearly three estates. Wybenia was the third of three large estates that covered the whole of the river front from Moray, Sydney and Merthyr streets down to the river. Merthyr (Sir Samuel Griffith), Kinellan (McKenzie and then Turner families) and finally Wybenia of James Clark. These large estates were all eventually subdivided into housing estates.
Merthyr Home of Sir Samuel Griffith
Every Queenslander should know something about the man who was instrumental in the development of the Australian Constitution. Towns, suburbs, universities, electorates and more have been named after this great influential Australian. Premier of Queensland and first Chief Justice of the High Court he has left a legacy.
The following Wikipedia reference has a concise history of the man Sir Samuel Griffith.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Griffith
Merthyr (named after the town in Wales where Griffith was born) was a large brick home designed by James Cowlishaw and built during the 1870s. It had a slate roof and cedar interior, with the main feature being the lavish ballroom in the centre of the house. It's a shame the house has been lost, but its name lives on in nearby Merthyr Park and Merthyr Rd, one of New Farm's major roads. (Brisbane Past and Present).
It could be said that Oxlade Drive in New Farm, Brisbane is no different than any other Brisbane street with the range of house and dwelling architecture on show. Originally called River Road at the city end and Goefrey at the Brunswick Street end it did not become a complete through road until 1927. Named after Alderman Allen Oxlade who had been prominent in the City Council in having the street created. Goefrey was the name in the 1912 street directory but news paper references to the time also have Goffrey and Jeffrey as the name. On December 14, 1927 Oxlade Drive came into being with the official opening of the complete drive from Sydney Street to Brunswick Street.
As in all new developments or the creation of roads and streets land had to be resumed. The land that the new road was to go through was owned by James Clark, "The Pearl King". James Clark was no ordinary local citizen but a prominent Queenslander whose extensive business and pastoral holdings had made him a very influential man within the Brisbane and Australian community.
Further reading on James Clark can be found here.
https://newfarmhistorical.org.au/james-clark-the-pearl-king/
Wybenia 1909 (Photograph from State Library of Queensland)
When James Clark died in 1933 his funeral took place from his late residence "Wybenia" Elyston Road, New Farm. In June 1928 James Clark gave evidence in his appeal against the land valuer over compensation for the land resumed for the creation of Oxlade Drive. He stated that his property extended from Elyston Road down to the river.
During the second world war Wybenia was used as a barracks for the Women’s Australian Auxiliary Air Force. The house no longer exists today but the land fronting down to the river is where the Limbless Soldier's Association, Oxlade Function Centre and the Merthyr Bowls Club exist today.
Today the Brunswick Street end of Oxlade Drive has an interesting and varied array of house and dwelling architecture. Where were once three grand villas Oxlade Drive has a wonderful collection of architectural styles.
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