Runcorn

Runcorn is an outer southern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Runcorn is an outer southern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Runcorn had a population of 14,592 people.

The Jagera Aboriginal people occupied most of the land south of the Brisbane River; Runcorn would have been in the territory of the Chepara clan of Eight Mile Plains, Queensland.Originally a part of Coopers Plains, the area was designated the Brisbane Agricultural Reserve (later the Eight Mile Plains Agricultural Reserve) . In 1868, the Williams family were the first to settle in the suburb, followed by Reverend J. McLaren a decade later. Rev. McLaren named his farm Runcorn, reportedly after Runcorn, Cheshire, England. Other early settlers include Mrs. Hill and Mr. Story.Cotton was grown in 1870 which led to the growth of various small crops. The population remained small consisting mainly of fruit and vegetable farmers, the bone mill as well as a couple of chicken and dairy farms.In May 1880 there was a subdivision called the Runcorn Estate, offering a mix of farm lots and town lots.The Beenleigh railway line opened in 1885 with Runcorn railway station servicing the area.In 1886, the Runcorn Bone Mill was started by Messrs Main, Clazy and Smith, with the fertiliser being used by farmers from regions as far away as New Zealand. At this time the local land was primarily used for farming.In 1890, a suburban estate called Runcorn Station Estate was sold, offering house lots close to the railway station.In 1901, the first school was opened in the area - Runcorn Provisional School (which was renamed to Runcorn State School in 1909).

Runcorn Provisional School opened on 8 July 1901. On 1 January 1909 it became Runcorn State School. The school's story began when a building committee was formed and requested a school be built in the area. An Inspector from the Department of Public Instruction decided that the applicants had established their claim for a Provisional School on the site selected, and that a school was needed. In 1901, Runcorn Provisional School opened with 26 pupils but no supplies or furniture. Miss Maud Fraser was the first teacher. As the enrolments grew, classes were held on the verandahs until more classrooms could be provided under the original building. In 1909, the department took over the running of the school and it became Runcorn State School. By 1929, there were nearly four hundred children enrolled. The numbers peaked in the mid 1970s to around 1100 students.In May 1915 a subdivision of farm land was sold under the name of the Fruitgrove Estate.Despite seeming development only six houses between Nathan and Warrigal roads existed in 1922.The Progress Hall was constructed in 1926.Electricity was connected in the suburb in 1933.A second railway station was built in the area in 1935, and named "Fruitgrove" after the surrounding locality/housing estate.During the Second World War the area was used by the United States Army and then by the (British) Royal Navy.The 1960s saw widespread development of the area and the population boomed over the following two decades.Runcorn Heights State School opened on 28 January 1975.Runcorn State High School opened on 28 January 1986.The 1990s saw town houses arrive in the area, and the population jumped once again - from 5,245 to 9,229 ten years later.In the 2016 census, Runcorn had a population of 14,592 people.

Runcorn Progress Hall was built by Tom King in 1926. It was built of chamfer board with a galvanized iron roof and stumps provided by Mr Sirett. It has been a focus for the community for many years, with dances and euchre parties as well as many fund raising and social activities held there. The Methodist Church held services there until they acquired their own church. The hall is now owned by Pinelands Lions Club but is still used by a variety of groups.

Runcorn Bone Mill was started in 1886 by Messrs. Main, Clazy and Smith, and the fertilizer was used by farmers as far away as New Zealand. In 1888, a hundred pleasure seekers from Brisbane caught the train to Runcorn to explore and to visit the bonemill and Mr Williams' Greenhill Nursery. The roof of the mill was blown off by a violent storm in the 1890s. Australian Co-operative Fertilizers bought the mill for $500 in 1918. During the Second World War the area was used by the United States Army and then by the British Navy. After the war it was converted to a sawmill and it later became the big foundry for Bradford Kendall (Bradken).

The current Queensland State Archives building was built on Compton Road in 1992 and opened in 1993.