Frog's Hollow was a historic neighbourhood in the Brisbane central business district, Queensland, Australia. It was a colloquial name used for the low-lying land surrounding the intersection of Albert Street and Margaret Street.
Although not formally bounded, the neighbourhood was generally regarded as being from George Street (which is a ridge) down to Edward Street and between Elizabeth Street and Alice Street. [1] [2]
A creek used to pass through this swampy area joining the Brisbane River in the vicinity of the intersection of Alice Street and Edward Street. Although little more than a plank of wood, Brisbane's first British made bridge was over this creek, allowing the convicts to cross to their farm. [3]
Being low-lying and swampy, with mosquitoes and periodic flooding, the area was not the most desirable part of colonial Brisbane. Being cheaper, the area attracted warehouse developments and housing and businesses catering to the lower classes. It was both the red light district of colonial Brisbane and its Chinatown. Prostitution, sly grog, and opium dens could be found in Frog's Hollow giving it a bad reputation. [3] [4]
During the 1880s, many Anti-Chinese Leagues were formed which organised many Anti-Chinese demonstrations to persuade the government to cease immigration from China. On Saturday 5 May 1888, one such demonstration in Brisbane, fuelled by alcohol, turned into a riot, where the mob of an estimated 2000 people attacked Chinese homes and businesses. The riot spread to Chinese premises in other parts of Brisbane, including South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley. The police did little to quell the riot with Police Inspector Lewis saying afterwards that "the majority of the people in the street were respectable citizens and would probably have been injured had this been done!". The only person arrested was subsequently acquitted. [4]
The creek is no longer visible but the approximate location of the bridge is marked by a modern sculpture at the former Port Office. The convict farm is now the City Botanic Gardens. [3]
Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of over 2.7 million.
Albion is an inner north-eastern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Albion had a population of 3,446 people.
The recorded History of Brisbane dates from 1799, when Matthew Flinders explored Moreton Bay on an expedition from Port Jackson, although the region had long been occupied by the Yugara and Turrbal aboriginal tribes. The town was conceived initially as a penal colony for British convicts sent from Sydney. Its suitability for fishing, farming, timbering, and other occupations, however, by 1838, pressure from free settlers led to Brisbane's designation as an area for free settlement in 1842, opening it to non-convict immigrants and beginning its tranformation into a commerical and agriculttural hub. The town became a municipality in 1859 and a consolidated metropolitan area in 1924. Brisbane encountered major flooding disasters in 1893, 1974, 2011 and 2022. Significant numbers of US troops were stationed in Brisbane during World War II. The city hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88, and the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit.
Brisbane City is the central suburb and central business district of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia. It is also colloquially referred to as the "Brisbane CBD", "the city", or simply "town". The CBD is located on a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River, historically known as Meanjin, Mianjin or Meeanjin in the local Yuggera dialect. The triangular-shaped peninsula is bounded by the median of the Brisbane River to the east, south and west. The point, known at its tip as Gardens Point, slopes upward to the north-west where the city is bounded by parkland and the inner city suburb of Spring Hill to the north. The CBD is bounded to the north-east by the suburb of Fortitude Valley. To the west the CBD is bounded by Milton, Petrie Terrace, and Kelvin Grove.
Spring Hill is an inner northern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Spring Hill had a population of 6,593 people.
Queen Street is the main street of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia. It is named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Lytton is an outer riverside suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Lytton had "no people or a very low population".
Lota is an eastern bayside suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Lota had a population of 3,518 people.
Edward Street is a busy thoroughfare in the Brisbane central business district, Queensland, Australia. It is a one-way street located between Albert Street and Creek Street, and runs from Upper Edward Street to Alice Street. It is named after Edward VII of the United Kingdom.
Albert Street is a street in the Brisbane central business district, Queensland, Australia. It was named after Prince Albert, the Prince Consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Albert Street railway station is being built directly beneath the street and is expected to open in 2026. The station precinct includes partial road closures as planned in the 2014 City Centre Master Plan, for the creation of a new public space.
William Street is a small, relatively quiet road in the uptown part of the Brisbane central business district. The street is historically significant to the city's early development as a penal colony. The first convict buildings were built along William Street in 1825.
Margaret Street is a major road in the central business district of Brisbane. The street is one of a number that were named after female members of the royal family shortly after the penal colony was settled.
Charlotte Street is a road in the central business district of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The street is one of a number that were named after female queens and princesses of the royal family shortly after the penal colony was settled. Mary Street runs parallel to the south and Elizabeth Street is the next street to the north.
Mary Street is a major road in the Brisbane central business district. The street is one of a number that were named after female queens and princesses of the royal family shortly after the penal colony was settled. Charlotte Street is positioned parallel to the north and Margaret Street runs next to the south.
Creek Street is a major street in the central business district of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The street follows a one-way south–north direction, starting at the beginning of Charlotte Street and cutting through Elizabeth Street, Queen Street, Adelaide Street, and Ann Street before coming to an end at Turbot Street in the northern end of the CBD. Creek Street was named for the filled-in creek over which it was constructed, and is an exception to the convention of parallel streets in the CBD being named after male royals.
Wheat Creek Culvert was a heritage-listed culvert at Adelaide Street, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Christopher Porter and built in 1861 by H C Love. It is also known as Big Creek Culvert. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 January 2003, but was removed in June 2015 after it was destroyed to create the Inner Northern Busway. However, a short section was preserved as a feature in the King George Square busway station.
The Early Streets of Brisbane is a heritage-listed archaeological site at sections of Albert Street, George Street, William Street, North Quay, and Queen's Wharf Road in Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1825 onwards. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 16 July 2010.
Acme Engineering Works is a heritage-listed workshop at 125 Margaret Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is also known as the HB Sales Building. It was designed by Frank Longland and built in 1912 by George Edward Day. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 23 April 1999.
Watson Brothers Building is a heritage-listed warehouse at 129 Margaret Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Richard Gailey and built from 1887 to 1918. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 23 April 1999.
The Moreton Bay Penal Settlement operated from 1825 to 1842. It became the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.