Kingsford Smith Drive enters the suburb at its south-west corner (from Albion) and runs along the river for approx 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) before heading north-east away from the river and exiting the suburb to the north-east (to Eagle Farm).[5]
Historically Kingsford Smith Drive divided the suburb into a hilly residential area to the north and west of the road and a flat industrial area to the south and east which featured wharves used for the transport of goods (and for a time Brisbane's main port facility). However, the need to accommodate larger vessels has led to the relocation of wharves to the current Port of Brisbane at the mouth of the river and the rising value of riverfront land for residential purposes has led to an urban redevelopment plan called Hamilton Northshore, in which industrial sites will gradually be replaced by residential development and associated services.[6]
It is believed the first hotel in the district was built by the Gustavus Hamilton (father of Messrs. F. G. Hamilton, barrister, and R. Hamilton, surveyor). Amongst the earlier lessees of the hotel was a Mrs. Warren, who, by coincidence, married another Mr. Hamilton, so that the hotel was occupied by different families of the name Hamilton. The Hamilton Hotel became an easy reference mark in the days when buildings were few in the district, and its name was gradually applied to the whole district.[3][12]
In Brisbane's early history, Hamilton was the home to many aristocrats and clergy. This suburb is known for being an "old wealth" suburb compared to "new wealth" suburbs in Brisbane such as Paddington, Toowong and Indooroopilly.[citation needed] A number of Brisbane's iconic mansions are found in Hamilton, mainly because the exclusive suburb has views of the central business district and other surrounding suburbs.[citation needed]
In March 1884, 19 allotments from "Belle Vue Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by E. Hooker & Son, Auctioneers. A map advertising the auction states the estate was "the pick of the Mount Pleasant Estate" at Breakfast Creek and contains a locality sketch.[13][14]
In September 1885, "The Hamilton Reach Estate" comprising 428 allotments were advertised to be auctioned by Arthur Martin & Co., Auctioneers. A map advertising the auction shows the estate had frontage on the Brisbane River and contains a locality sketch.[15][16]
In October 1885, "Wickham Estate" consisting of 412 allotments were advertised to be auctioned by John Cameron, Auctioneer. A map advertising the auction includes a local sketch of the area.[17] Newspaper advertising states the estate is "situated on the bank of the Brisbane River, immediately below the Hamilton Hotel, and is intersected by the Eagle Farm Road and Nudgee Road".[18]
In July 1887, 54 allotments from "Russell Association Land" were advertised to be auctioned by James R. Dickson & Company, Auctioneers. A map advertising the auction states the estate held "magnificent sites, commanding views of the city and Brisbane River".[19][20]
Hamilton State School opened on 19 March 1907.[21]
Hamilton Methodist Church was dedicated on 11 May 1911, but services had been held at the site since 26 January 1907. It was remodelled a number of times over the years, including the 1971 addition of the pipe organ from the former Congregational Church in Baroona Road, Milton. On 12 October 1976, it was renamed St Luke's and in 1977 with the amalgamation of the Methodist Church into the Uniting Church in Australia, it became St Luke's Hamilton Uniting Church.[22][23][24]
ArchbishopJames Duhig laid the foundation block of St Cecilia's Catholic Church on Sunday 14 December 1913.[25] The church was officially opened, blessed and dedicated on Sunday 5 April 1914 by Archbishop Duhig.[26]
On Sunday 1 October 1916, Archbishop Duhig laid the foundation stone for St Cecilia's Convent School.[27] Archbishop Duhig officially opened the school on Sunday 21 January 1917. It was operated by the Sisters of Mercy and was just to the north of the church.[28] It closed on 4 December 1981.[21]
During World War II an accident occurred involving a Corsair fighter plane at Naval Base Hamilton. It had been unloaded from a ship in the river, had its wings folded up and was being towed along Kingsford Smith Drive by a truck when it snagged the tramway overhead and brought them down.[citation needed]
In 1967, the Mission to Seafarers opened the Anglican Chapel of St Nicolas in Hamilton. It was dedicated by Coadjutor Bishop Hudson on 4 November 1967. Its closure on 17 June 2007 was approved by Bishop Adrian Charles.[38]
In recent times,[when?] a cruise ship terminal has been built in a precinct at Portside Wharf; this precinct has then seen substantial commercial and residential development.[citation needed]
The development of the Northshore Hamilton project was announced on 27 March 2008 by the Urban Land Development Authority.[39] A concept master plan for Northshore Hamilton was released by Premier Anna Bligh in September 2008.[39] The development covers 304 hectares (750 acres) and is expected to house 13,000 new residents.[39] It includes 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of river frontage which will be open to the public.
Demographics
In 2013, the suburb had the highest mean taxable income of any in Queensland.[40]
In the 2016 census, Hamilton had a population of 6,995 people.[41]
In the 2021 census, Hamilton had a population of 8,922 people.[1]
^"Classified Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 8, 167. Queensland, Australia. 14 March 1884. p. 7. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 4, 055. Queensland, Australia. 10 September 1885. p. 7. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 4, 111. Queensland, Australia. 13 November 1885. p. 8. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 4, 587. Queensland, Australia. 21 June 1887. p. 7. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Church of St. Cecilia". Daily Standard. No. 409 (2nd ed.). Queensland, Australia. 6 April 1914. p. 6. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"St. Cecelia's School". Daily Standard. No. 1285 (2nd ed.). Queensland, Australia. 22 January 1917. p. 4. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Cameron Rocks War Memorial". Queensland War Memorials Register. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
^"Personal". The Courier-Mail. No. 3421. Queensland, Australia. 11 November 1947. p. 4. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Augustinian Fathers Will". The Courier-Mail. No. 3482. Queensland, Australia. 22 January 1948. p. 4. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"New Catholic School Opened". Daily Mercury. Vol. 82, no. 22. Queensland, Australia. 26 January 1948. p. 1. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Hamilton Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.