Garowie

Garowie is a two-story brick residence with verandahs on both levels, decorated with cast iron railings and paired supporting columns throughout. The structure displays typical architectural features found in grand family homes of that era.

Samuel Shenton designed this residence in 1888 for James Clarke Cribb, whose father Benjamin had founded the notable Cribb and Foote business partnership. The building thus connects to an important local family of 19th-century merchants.

The residence shows how wealthy families in late 19th-century Ipswich chose to build and decorate their homes, with grand Victorian rooms and ornate ironwork on every level. The design reflects the tastes and prosperity of the upper class at that time.

The property sits on Whitehill Road with its original stone fence and mature trees providing natural screening from the street. The existing vegetation helps visitors experience the home within its historic setting.

The name Garowie comes from an Aboriginal word referring to the large fig trees that once grew on the property and gave the place its name. This connection to the land's original vegetation is part of what makes the site special.

Location: Queensland

GPS coordinates: -27.62180,152.77200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:10