On my cycle back from Samford this morning, I thought I’d take a detour over Drapers Crossing that crosses the South Pine River through some idyllic dairy farmland.
The rickety bridge looks like it’s been there for ages, but the actual crossing has been in use much longer.
At 28 years of age, Jacob Draper an English migrant, built a slab cottage near here in 1869.
His land holdings grew, and his family eventually established a successful dairy farm. The family continued to operate successful dairy farms until well into the 20th century.
(Source “Pioneering The Pine. A Short History of the Pine Rivers Shire” by Leith Barter)
A sad reminder of the heartbreak faced by pioneering families in the district in the 1870’s. Bernard died aged 7 months. Half a year later, his twin, Ralph, died.
The twin boys must have been one of the first burials in the Bunya Cemetery, which was established in 1873.
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