Cumbooquepa, Heritage-listed house in South Brisbane, Australia
Cumbooquepa is a single-story masonry residence in South Brisbane with terracotta-tiled roofs and extensive verandahs. The northern facade features ornate architectural details overlooking Brisbane River, and the property contains multiple structures on a triangular block bounded by Vulture Street and the railway line.
Thomas Blacket Stephens, Brisbane's second mayor, acquired the land in 1856 and built the original timber dwelling before architect George Addison designed the current structure in 1890. The property was subsequently converted into a major educational institution and became part of Brisbane's urban development.
The property was named after a Scottish scientist and converted into a girls school in 1919 by a Presbyterian and Methodist association. This transformation shaped the place as a center for female education in Brisbane and remains part of its local identity.
The site sits on a triangular block between two transport lines, making it easily accessible from main streets. Visitors should expect uneven terrain and can use the grounds around the historic buildings to explore the different structures.
During World War II, the building became headquarters for Allied forces in the Far East, forcing the school to relocate temporarily. The institution returned to its campus in 1945 and has continued its educational mission since then.
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