Queen Alexandra Home, Heritage building in Coorparoo, Brisbane, Australia
Queen Alexandra Home is a two-story brick building on Old Cleveland Road with decorative cast iron verandahs and a central staircase. It preserves original features such as marble fireplaces and leadlight windows that were maintained through renovations in the 1980s.
Built in 1886 for businessman Reuben Nicklin, the property was acquired by the Methodist Church in 1911 to establish a children's home. The home operated until 1960, when the building later transitioned to different uses.
The building shows how social welfare in Queensland changed over time as it moved from a private home to a children's home and later to an educational facility. These shifts reveal how the community adapted to meet different needs at different times.
The building is accessible as a walking route and is situated in an active residential area of Brisbane, so visitors should be respectful of the local community. Best orientation comes from the heritage markers on the outside that highlight important features.
The house was linked to a tragic family loss when original owners died in a maritime disaster in the 1890s. Despite this personal tragedy, the property went on to serve an important role in the community.
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