For over two decades, the Auchenflower home of Thomas Mathewson, highly regarded as Queensland’s “Father of Photography,” was used as student accommodations. A passion project has since restored the 1912 Queenslander to its former glory.
Developer Michelle Cao of Mii and Co fully restored the 1912 Queenslander, named the “Monterey,” much to the delight of the famous photographer’s relatives.
Ms Cao said that the Auchenflower home on 18 Aldrige Street was a passion project from the start as she was looking to redevelop and flip the property.
However, upon learning of its historical roots, the developer aimed to pay her respects to Mr Mathewson and carefully restored the three-bedroom two-bathroom house for eight months with the help of Crowley Construction.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Thomas Mathewson: Queensland’s “Father of Photography”
Originally from Scotland, Mr Mathewson moved to Australia when he was 10 years old in 1852. He lost both parents a few years later and was under the care of different families in Ipswich as an orphan.
It was Rev. Beazley who taught him the basics of photography as a teenager and by the next two decades, he established Mathewson & Co. Studios in Ipswich, Toowoomba, Dalby, Gympie, Rockhampton, Charters Towers, Townsville and Bowen.
In 1875, Mr Mathewson opened another studio on Queen Street in Brisbane, which operated until 1923.
During this period, photography was known as a specialised art and made use of one of the oldest techniques: the wet plate method. Years before the development of modern photography, photographers didn’t have rolls of film to process in a dark room.
Instead, they captured images using a metal or glass plate covered in a light-sensitive emulsion that has silver halides. Processing images was a bit complicated and they had to have knowledge of mixing the right amount of chemicals.
Mr Mathewson’s legacy continues with his family as they produced generations of award-winning photographers.
Seal of Approval from Mr Mathewson’s Family
There was much to be done on the property as it was used as student housing in the ’70s and ’80s with its beautiful verandah fully enclosed to make extra rooms. However, the project received a seal of approval from Mr Mathewson’s living relatives who visited the property and had even taken photos after the restorations.
Ms Cao said that their reaction to her passion project gave such satisfaction and relief, knowing that the house also filled their childhood memories.
The home has now been turned over to its new private owners for $1.48 million whilst Ms Cao, who subdivided the 1,012 sqm land, is building a five-unit apartment complex beside it.