Allenstown, Queensland

The main business precinct of Allenstown is anchored by local shopping centre Allenstown Square, which was previously known as Allenstown Plaza before undergoing a major refurbishment and extension which was completed in 2012.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The suburb is named after William Allen, builder, around 1862. Allen's decision to sell blocks of land for thirty pounds following his return from the Canoona gold rush, which saw many new cottages being built, prompted the locals to dub the suburb "Allen's town".{{cite news|last=Jarrett|first=Vanessa|date=25 February 2020|title=Allenstown history over the decades|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/rockhampton/allenstown-history-over-the-decades/news-story/37f4c96989e727fc61f14872e30e7578|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=17 October 2021}}

In 1864, Patrick Egan established the Merry Jig Hotel.

Rockhampton Cemetery opened circa 1864 although the earliest headstones was dated as 1862. It replaced an earlier cemetery at Col Brown Park beside the Fitzroy River. Following the opening of the North Rockhampton Cemetery, it became known as South Rockhampton Cemetery. It closed in 1993 and is now heritage-listed. The cemetery is organised by religious denominations.{{Cite web |title=South Rockhampton Cemetery |url=https://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/CouncilServices/Cemeteries/South-Rockhampton-Cemetery |access-date=2024-05-06 |publisher=Rockhampton Regional Council |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506053944/https://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/CouncilServices/Cemeteries/South-Rockhampton-Cemetery |url-status=live }}

In December 1870, tenders were called from carpenters to erect a Wesleyan Methodist church in Allenstown.{{cite news |date=3 December 1870 |title=Advertising |page=3 |newspaper=Rockhampton Bulletin And Central Queensland Advertiser |issue=1304 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51580816 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=4 August 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234603/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51580816 |url-status=live }} The church was opened on Sunday 16 April 1871.{{cite news|date=15 April 1871|title=LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAM.|page=2|newspaper=Rockhampton Bulletin And Central Queensland Advertiser|issue=1361|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51581891|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=17 September 2021|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234629/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51581891|url-status=live}} It was designed by architect Septimus Nash Spong and described as "handsome and commodious". It was {{Convert|33 by 23|ft|}} and capable of seating 100 people. It was organised and paid for by the "munificence" of Andrew Ross of Balnagowan.{{cite news |date=27 May 1871 |title=Miscellaneous Items |volume=III |page=5 |newspaper=Australian Town and Country Journal |issue=73 |location=New South Wales, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70466835 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=4 August 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234608/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70466835 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=4 May 1872 |title=No title |page=3 |newspaper=Rockhampton Bulletin |issue=1526 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51788327 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=4 August 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234607/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51788327 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=23 September 1913 |title=CAMPBELL STREET METHODISTS. |page=9 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |issue=15,268 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53348235 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=4 August 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234608/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/53348235 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=27 May 1871 |title=Miscellaneous Items. |volume=III |page=5 |newspaper=Australian Town and Country Journal |issue=73 |location=New South Wales, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70466835 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=4 August 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234608/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70466835 |url-status=live }} In November 1880, it was agreed that a new "central and substantial" church would be erected at an expected cost of £650, which would be funded in part by the sale of the Allenstown Wesleyan church and the Kent Street Wesleyan Church in the Rockhampton CBD.{{cite news |date=11 November 1880 |title=The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton |volume=XXVI |page=2 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |issue=3960 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52022738 |accessdate=4 August 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815050904/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52022738 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=21 October 1879 |title=Annual District Meeting of the Wesleyan Church, Queensland. |volume=XXXIV |page=3 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |issue=3,877 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article882887 |accessdate=4 August 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815050903/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/882887 |url-status=live }} The new church was opened in Campbell Street on Sunday 24 July 1881 with the Allenstown Wesleyan church building relocated to the rear of the new church at Campbell Street where it was used as a vestry and Sunday school.{{cite news |date=16 July 1881 |title=Advertising |volume=XXVII |page=1 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |issue=4156 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52053215 |accessdate=15 August 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815050917/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52053215 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=25 July 1881 |title=Wesleyan Methodist Church |volume=XXVII |page=2 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |issue=4163 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52053384 |accessdate=15 August 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815050903/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52053384 |url-status=live }}

Allenstown State School opened on 16 July 1877.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-12 |title=History |url=https://allenstownss.eq.edu.au/our-school/history |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Allenstown State School |language=en |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301032031/https://allenstownss.eq.edu.au/our-school/history |url-status=live }} The school celebrated its centenary in 1977.{{Citation |author1=Allenstown State School |title=Allenstown State School centenary booklet, 1877-1977 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8495930 |publication-date=1977 |publisher=City Printing Works |accessdate=3 February 2018 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725033950/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8495930 |url-status=live }}

On 15 October 1899, St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral was officially opened by Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran of the Sydney Archdiocese with a celebration of the Pontifical High Mass.{{cite news |date=17 October 1899 |title=New Catholic Cathedral. |volume=XL |page=2 |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser |issue=5972 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123283969 |accessdate=15 April 2017 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234608/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/123283969 |url-status=live }}

On Sunday 14 October 1900, the foundation stone was laid for St Mark's Anglican Church.{{cite news |date=15 October 1900 |title=ALLENSTOWN ANGLICAN CHURCH |volume=LXI |page=5 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |issue=10,889 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52585628 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=18 May 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234609/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52585628 |url-status=live }} Its opening service was held on Sunday 23 December 1900. The church was sold in 2021.{{cite news |last=Stokes |first=Aden |date=4 May 2021 |title=Heritage-listed Rocky church sells to Qld couple for $140k |work=The Morning Bulletin |location= |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/heritage-listed-rocky-church-sells-to-qld-couple-f/4250386 |url-access=subscription |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503173759/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/heritage-listed-rocky-church-sells-to-qld-couple-f/4250386/ |url-status=live }}

From 1909 until 1939, the city's tramway serviced Allenstown along Upper Dawson Road. In 2019, some of the original tram tracks were unearthed during local council roadworks.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ABCCapricornia/posts/old-tram-tracks-unearthed-rockhampton-regional-council-has-been-doing-road-works/2846514892028612/|title=Old Tram Tracks Unearthed|author=|date=25 August 2019|website=ABC Capricornia (Facebook page)|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=17 October 2021|quote=|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815234608/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FABCCapricornia%2Fposts%2Fold-tram-tracks-unearthed-rockhampton-regional-council-has-been-doing-road-works%2F2846514892028612%2F|url-status=live}}

The Cathedral College opened on 4 February 1991.{{Citation | author1=Queensland Family History Society | title=Queensland schools past and present | publication-date=2010 | publisher=Queensland Family History Society | edition=Version 1.01 | isbn=978-1-921171-26-0 }}{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.tccr.com.au/our-college/our-story/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=The Cathedral College Rockhampton |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309212825/https://www.tccr.com.au/our-college/our-story/ |url-status=live }}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, Allenstown had a population of 2,721 people.{{Census 2006 AUS

|id=SSC37855

|name=Allenstown (Rockhampton City) (State Suburb)

|accessdate=26 February 2008

|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Allenstown had a population of 2,911 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30024|name=Allenstown|accessdate=4 November 2015|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Allenstown had a population of 2,790 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30037|name=Allenstown (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Allenstown had a population of 2,762 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30037|name=Allenstown (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:St Mark's Anglican Church Allenstown Queensland 1975.jpg

Allenstown has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• St Mark's Anglican Church, 36 Larnach Street{{cite QHR|16767|St Marks Church|602031|accessdate = 12 July 2013}}
• South Rockhampton Cemetery, Upper Dawson Road{{cite QHR|15904|South Rockhampton Cemetery|601131|accessdate=12 July 2013}}
• Allenstown State School, 13–33 Upper Dawson Road{{cite QHR||Allenstown State School|650232|access-date=20 December 2022}}
• St Josephs Catholic Cathedral, 170 William Street{{cite QHR|15597|St Josephs Cathedral|600822|access-date=15 August 2022}}

{{Clear|left}}

File:AllenstownSS2021a.jpgAllenstown State School is a government primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 13–33 Upper Dawson Road ({{coord|-23.3919|150.5026|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Allenstown State School}}).{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |date=2018-11-01 |title=Allenstown State School |url=https://allenstownss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Allenstown State School |language=en |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815112643/https://allenstownss.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 381 students with 31 teachers (29 full-time equivalent) and 27 non-teaching staff (17 full-time equivalent).{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2018 |url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |access-date=28 January 2020 |publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |url-status=live }} It includes a special education program.

The Cathedral College is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 189 William Street ({{coord|-23.3861|150.5051|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=The Cathedral College}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|access-date=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018}}{{cite web |title=The Cathedral College |url=https://www.tccr.com.au/ |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119170733/http://tccr.com.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1,178 students with 79 teachers (78 full-time equivalent) and 59 non-teaching staff (48 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|access-date=28 January 2020|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}}

There is no government secondary school in Allenstown. The nearest government secondary school is Rockhampton State High School in Wandal to the north.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=16 August 2022}}

St Josephs Catholic Cathedral is at 169 William Street ({{coord|-23.3862|150.5065|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral}}).{{Cite web |title=Rockhampton – Cathedral Parish of St Joseph – Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton |url=https://rok.catholic.net.au/parish/rockhampton-st-joseph-cathedral/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206232631/https://rok.catholic.net.au/parish/rockhampton-st-joseph-cathedral/ |url-status=live }}

There are a number of parks in the suburb:

• Bolton Park ({{coord|-23.3886|150.5062|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Bolton Park}}){{Cite web |date=20 November 2020 |title=Land for public recreation - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122211519/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009 |archive-date=22 November 2020 |access-date=22 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}
• Connolly Park ({{coord|-23.3895|150.5029|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Connolly Park}})

• Frank Forde Park ({{coord|-23.4071|150.5005|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Frank Forde Park}})

• Kettle Park ({{coord|-23.3966|150.5078|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kettle Park}})

• Musgrave Park ({{coord|-23.3929|150.5042|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Musgrave Park}})

• O'Shanesy Park ({{coord|-23.4059|150.5030|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=O'Shanesy Park}})

• Saleyards Park ({{coord|-23.3937|150.5087|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Saleyards Park}})

Rockhampton Cemetery (also known as South Rockhampton Cemetery) is at 113-171 Upper Dawson Road ({{coord|-23.3988|150.5032|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=South Rockhampton Cemetery}}).{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Cemetery Areas - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115100513/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}

File:Allenstown Square2.jpgAllenstown is home to three of the seven Big Bulls statues that decorate Rockhampton, which regards itself as the Beef Capital of Australia.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-17/beef-capital-fight/5397492|title=An ownership row has erupted over who holds Australia's Beef Capital title|last=Robinson|first=Paul|date=17 April 2014|work=ABC News|access-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805092025/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-17/beef-capital-fight/5397492|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=live|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|last2=Farrow-Smith|first2=Elloise|last3=Saunders|first3=Miranda}} The three bull statues are located along the Bruce Highway (also known as Gladstone Road) and depict three important cattle varieties raised in the area: Santa Gertrudis, Romagnola, and Braford.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/Programs/Archived_programs/Wheres_The_Beef|title=Where's the Beef?|website=Rockhampton Art Gallery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805085731/http://www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/Programs/Archived_programs/Wheres_The_Beef|archive-date=2017-08-05|url-status=dead|access-date=5 August 2017}} The Big Bulls are listed as one of "the big things of Australia".{{cite book|title=Big Things: Australia's Amazing Roadside Attractions|last=Clark|first=David|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2004|isbn=0-14-300200-7|pages=10–13}}

The theft of the testicles from the bulls is a common prank and they frequently have to be replaced. Some residents also feel that the bull statues overemphasise one aspect of the city and should be relocated to less prominent locations. However, there is strong public support for the retention of the bulls.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-18/tourism-group-rears-up-over-rockhampton-bull-statues/5098872|title=Tourism group rears up over Rockhampton bull statues|last=Whop|first=Marlina|date=20 November 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806002118/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-18/tourism-group-rears-up-over-rockhampton-bull-statues/5098872|archive-date=6 August 2017|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Allenstown, Queensland}}

• [http://queenslandplaces.com.au/allenstown University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Allenstown]

{{Rockhampton suburbs}}

{{Rockhampton Region}}

Category:Suburbs of Rockhampton