Henry Duncan Dow, Baker and Caterer
Photo: Jenny and Peter Naylor (Henry is standing in front of the bakery)

Rosewood History

Dow’s Bakery (Rosewood Bakery)

Who didn’t love following that delicious aroma wafting in the air all of the way to the bakery to get a loaf of fresh bread? Did it arrive back home untouched in the middle?

Mr Wallace Henry Collett, one of the proprietors of the Rosewood Steam Sawmill, opened a new business premises in John Street in December 1899. This business was the beginning of what became known as, remembered as, and spoken about by those from a past era as… Dow’s Bakery. It was memorable because it was an imposing structure which stood out at a time when there were few other structures at all in the township, and later, because there was still nothing like it in that part of the street.

Four lots of land (58, 59, 60, 61), totalling 1 acre 5 & 2/10th perches, were purchased from the Vance Estate by Charles Nathaniel Schureck on 5th August 1886. The lots fronted both Albert Street and John Street. Charles Schureck and family left Rosewood for Brisbane late in 1887. Interestingly, prior to coming to Rosewood, Charles Schureck sold his land in Laidley to Charles James Whitehouse (historic Whitehouse’s Bakery, 91 Patrick St, Laidley).

Wallace Collett purchased this land and built upon it on Lot 61. The architect engaged for the build was G. Brockwell Gill, Queensland Times Chambers, Ipswich.

Collett’s two storey wooden building (main photo) was 46ft. 6in.(14.17m) long and 21ft. (6.4m) wide, and contained 11 rooms. It made quite an addition to the township! Wallace intended that part of the lower floor 18ft. by 20ft (5.4m by 6m) would be be utilised as a shop with two large windows. There was also a dining room and a sitting room. The upper floor had several well ventilated bedrooms and a balcony. There was an awning over the footpath and a detached kitchen and bakehouse at the rear. One of the latest bakers’ ovens and all appliances for turning out a good product were installed. A well had been put down and Wallace spared no expense on this venture. He opened the bakery on Monday 11th December 1899.   See outline of W. H. Collett Family.

A year later, in December 1900, Wallace disposed of his splendid bakery establishment to Mr. Benjamin Meissner of Tallegalla, and he became a Commission Agent. 

Just before Benjamin took over the bakery, carbide lighting had been installed. The bakery and the premises of J. L. Frederich were the first two places to have the gas lighting installed, a distinct advance on the old method of lighting.

In March 1903, Ben Meissner left Rosewood for Redland Bay and became a fruit farmer.

The Rosewood Bakery premises was acquired by a Scottish man, Henry Duncan Dow, who had been an employee of Ben Meissner.  See outline of B. Meissner Family.

On Saturday 4th October 1919, at around 3 a.m., Henry Dow’s bakehouse was totally demolished by fire. Owing to scarcity of water nothing was saved. Mercifully the two storey residence at the front was saved. It would have been difficult to find alternate accommodation for Henry and Mabel and their eleven children. The bakehouse was partially covered by insurance.
ROSEWOOD, October 4. Early this morning Mr. H. D. Dow’s bakehouse was totally demolished by fire. Mr. Dow and his son left the bakehouse at 11 o’clock last night, when everything was secure, and about 3 a.m. they were aroused by the neighbours, who had noticed the fire. The building was partially covered by insurance in the Atlas Company, but Mr. Dow is a heavy loser, as the building contained a large quantity of flour and other baker’s goods. (1)

The bakehouse was rebuilt and Henry’s son John worked in the business until the family left Rosewood. The bakery gave great service to the community with a delivery service and their carts would even call by when requested.

After 25 years in business, and two years as an employee, Henry Dow sold his property to Cuthbert John Spreadborough of Thagoona in January 1927. The Dow’s moved to Murgon in the South Burnett.

Mr. H. D. Dow, who was long and favourably known in Rosewood, established a business in Murgon a couple of years ago, building an up-to-date bakery with a “beehive” oven and brick bakehouse, and making provision for a large underground storage of rain water. By the use of best materials and skilled workmanship, his trade has gone ahead by leaps and bounds, and the “D” brand on his loaves is widely  known. (2)

See outline of H. D. Dow Family.  See a testimonial by Henry’s mother-in-law (Charity Martha New) who was living with the family.

Robert Grant then conducted the bakery business in the premises of the new owner, Cuthbert Spreadborough.   See outline R. Grant Family

In March 1930, George Alfred Hartley (Hartley & Sons) from Gatton bought the bakery business from Robert Grant, who moved to Millmerran. (3) 

In November George Hartley sold it to John Leslie Davey, Master Baker of Coorparoo, who opened his business in Rosewood from 1st December 1930.

William Feltham from Beenleigh acquired the “Rosewood Bakery” business in 1931 and ran it until 1943.

In December 1933, the owner of the property arranged to have the two storey wooden building pulled down.
The two-storey building in John-street, occupied by Mr. W. Feltham, baker, has been pulled down and a single storey residence and shop has been erected. The work has been carried out by Mr. G. Zornig, Rosewood. (4)

The Feltham’s son Reginald worked as a baker with his father. Roy Taylor served his apprenticeship there and qualified just before his 21st brithday in 1934. The Felthams gave him a birthday party which celebrated both milestones.

William’s wife Elizabeth died in June 1935, and as a mark of respect, the flag at the Farmers’ Hall was flown half-mast on the day of her funeral. William remarried in 1937 to Annie Louisa Davis and they moved to Brisbane about 1942.
See outline W. Feltham Family

At some stage during the Feltham years, Cuthbert Spreadborough (owner) sold the property to a baker named Garnett Richard Kirkup from Toowoomba (formerly of Pittsworth). Perhaps it was after Cuthbert Spreadborough’s home at Thagoona burned down in May 1930? There was a clearing sale there in February 1936. Maybe he was in financial trouble? He also owned a garage in Marburg. Apart from family knowledge which may exist, the details of this transfer can be discovered either in the historical title deeds for the property or the historical rates records for the property, which would reflect a change of ownership.

We know that Garnett Kirkup was in possession in January 1939 because he asked permission to erect new stables and a feed room on his property at Rosewood. (5)

Robert Clyde Grant, a baker from Ipswich announced:
I am conducting on my own account the Bakery Business formerly conducted by Davidson and Grant, Rosewood, and regret owing to shortage of man-power am reluctantly compelled to cease delivery. Trusting you will give me your generous support.  R. C. Grant. (6)

Grant opened for business on Monday, 6th December 1943.

Two years later his personal life was in turmoil when his wife Mary became involved with a man whom she had met at Rosewood. In October 1945, she left with their child and all of her belongings. Robert continued in the the business for another year and moved on when the estate of Garnett Kirkup, who died in August 1940, was being finalised in 1946.

In October 1946, Hector Thomas Ross from Pittsworth bought the bakery premises from the estate of Garnett Kirkup.
ROSEWOOD BAKERY AUCTIONED ROSEWOOD.- Considerable interest centred in the Public Auction on Friday of the freehold bakery premises at Rosewood, tenanted by Mr. R. C. Grant. Messrs. Jackson and Meyers. Auctioneers, Ipswich, conducted the sale at their mart. on behalf of the Executors in the Estate of G. R. Kirkup, deceased. The purchaser was Mr. H. T. Ross of Pittsworth. The price realised was £1250. Total area of the property, which has frontages to John and Albert streets, is 1 acre 5 & 2/10th perches. On the property there are a shop and dwelling, and a bakehouse. (7)

The combined shop and dwelling consisted of 7 rooms, 2 sub rooms, front and side verandahs, shop awning and a brick bakehouse, 2 ovens and more as described in the advertisement.

Hector Ross had the bakery until February 1949 when he sold the business to Neil Edward Gillott.   See outline H. T. Ross Family

In June 1951, Neil Gillott sold the bakery business to Alfred Percival James Crew, who in turn sold it to John Frederick Hattersly from Brisbane in March 1953, before leaving for Hendra. The electoral rolls reflect that John Hattersly continued to live at Sandgate so it is unlikely he ran it himself.

I’ve been unable to establish the exact years for which the following people were in possession of the business. I have relied on snippets of information I found and the electoral rolls for the following:-

John James O’Neill and Mervyn Joseph O’Neill were bakers in John Street, Rosewood in 1954.

Herbert Frederick (Master Baker) & Merle Lorna Lawrence, ran the bakery in 1958, 1959. 

Trevor Lewis Charles Anthony (Master Baker) ran the bakery in 1963.

Robert Edward Hughes had the bakery business 1958-1968.

In early 1977 Leo and Rosemary Crisafulli bought two allotments, one vacant (64) and the other with the residence which was the old bakery (66). They built a shed on 64 in which they started an upholstery business, later acquiring the adjacent block (62) and establishing the Fair Deal Nursery and Garden Centre.

The property was sold to John Schulte, Butcher. Harmers Family Meats operates at No 64 today and the Australian Cultural Library operates from the old bakery (residence) at 66 John Street.

Perhaps those who lived in Rosewood in the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s etc can assist with information about the bakery for these years?   My email: hello@rosewoodpasttimes.com

© Jane Schy, 2024

Dow’s Bakery 1909

H. D. Dow, Bakery, John Street, Rosewood, 1925.
Photo: Picture Ipswich 

Sources:
Copies of Certificates of Title J. W. Vance, Olivia Vance
(1) Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), Monday 6 October 1919, page 8
(2) Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), Thursday 18 April 1929, page 20
(3)  Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), Thursday 6 March 1930, page 9
(4) Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.: 1909 – 1954), Tuesday 12 December 1933, page 4
(5) Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.: 1909 – 1954), Friday 20 January 1939, page 5
(6) Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.: 1909 – 1954), Saturday 4 December 1943, page 6
(7) Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld : 1909 – 1954), Tuesday 23 July 1946, page 8
Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Bristol, England, Select Church of England Parish Registers, 1720-1933
Queensland Registry Births, Deaths, Marriages
New South Wales Registry Births, Deaths, Marriages
Cemetery Records
Queensland Immigration Indexes
Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980