Alpha Cottage - Lost in Time

 Kangaroo Point still existed as a shire or town until the amalgamation of the nineteen town councils and shires that made up the greater Brisbane area. The Government of Queensland created the City of Brisbane with a view to uniting the then Brisbane metropolitan area under a single planning and governance structure. The City of Brisbane Act 1924 received assent from the Governor on 30 October 1924. On 1 October 1925, 20 local government areas of various sizes were abolished and merged into the new city. While the Kangaroo Point of today bears very little resemblance to 1925 if you look there are still examples of the early colonial era. 

The following is taken from the Brisbane City Council's Heritage Register.

‘Alpha Cottage’ is located on land that was acquired by Queensland explorer, squatter and writer of Queensland’s history, Henry Stuart Russell. Russell purchased the property in 1852, and completed the notable Kangaroo Point home of Shafston House, which had been started by the previous owner Robert Creyke. This particular allotment (then 1 rood) was purchased by Francis Blanchard in 1875. It was one of a number of allotments (covering over 44 acres) that were offered for sale by the “Honourable” Louis Hope in December 1874.

 Hope, was a MLC from 1862-82 and was “a major figure in establishing the colony’s sugar industry.” Blanchard took possession of the land in late 1875. However, the listing of the cottage did not appear in the Post Office Directories (PODs) until the 1883-84 edition. Neither Blanchard or his wife appear to have ever lived in the cottage. Francis Blanchard is first listed in the PODs in 1889, where his occupation is supplied as Pilot. His address is listed as Cardwell. Blanchard’s name then disappears from the Directory to reappear in 1901 where he is listed as “Magazine Keeper of Pinkenba.” In 1910 the cottage passed onto his widow, Emma Blanchard who is listed as living in Cornwall Street Woolloongabba. The property was transferred to Katherine Nicholson and Florence Burrell in the following year.