1863
Land was first offered for sale in Jandowae town at auction on the 20th of April 1863. On the 17th of September 1863 in the Darling Downs Gazette, the earliest record of the Great North Road Hotel has been found – being opened by Mr (James) and Mrs Crocker. The Great North Road is what we today call the Dalby-Jandowae Road. It was also known as Jimbour Road for a short time.
On the 15th of September 1864 there was a murder at the Great North Road Hotel. An article published on Page 3 of the Brisbane Courier on Tuesday October 11th 1864 states “I was not astonished at such violence taking place as it did in a licensed public-house, the only building in Jindowie, and distant thirty-one miles from any township where police protection may be had.” So it seems that the Great North Road Hotel was the only building in town for at least one year.
1865
Thomas Bateman applied to acquire the license for the Great North Road Hotel. It had previously been widely believed that he had built this particular establishment. The incorrect name of “The Northern Downs Inn” was given in previous verbal accounts and noted in Jack Haselwood’s book of the history of the town. Newspaper archives show that Thomas Bateman applied for licenses for a number of hotels in the district, including at least one other within Jandowae, however none were named Norther Downs Inn. A town plan redrawn in 1945 shows the block belonged to “J. Sidney” however the date of the source document was not recorded. Mr Bateman’s attached application does state that he is renting the Hotel from Mr John Sidney.
1872
The Queensland National Bank was established in Brisbane.
Pre 1914
The original site of the current building. This photograph is undated, but was taken before works on the current building were begun in late 1914. This photograph may be of the Great North Road Hotel. Of the five bottle trees visible in this photo, the one on the farthest left still stands on the ANZ corner, the one in the middle was on the NAB corner – it had died/been removed by the 50s and today a new (young) bottle tree stands in its place, and the three grouped bottle trees on the right are the same as stood in front of the Bottle Tree Cafe, two doors down from the old NAB, two of them still stand today.
Photo courtesy of Peter Ireland from the collection (and with permission) of the Jandowae & District Progress & Heritage Association.
24th April 1914
News article from the Telegraph dated 24th April 1914 states that A branch of the Queensland National Bank Limited was opened in Jandowae. Jack Haselwood, in his book, states the branch initially traded from one of the rooms on the verandah of the Club Hotel (then known as Mulholland’s Hotel). Ian Watters, who was bank manager in the early 1980s, advised that during his tenure he had come across documents pertaining to the renting of premises at Mulholland’s prior to the completion of the bank building. I have found reference to a “Bank Room” at Mulholland’s in a news article from January 1914 but this is before National came to town, so it’s possible that it relates to the Union Bank which preceded the QNB by a couple of years. Although, the ANZ archives have advised that the Union traded from another building on the corner of High and George Streets prior to the original premises being completed. I’m continuing to investigate this.
15 September 1914
News article in the Darling Downs Gazette stating that Timothy Tovell has begun construction of the new banking premises and expects to have it complete by Christmas.
1915
The earliest known photograph of the Queensland National Bank in Jandowae. The original colour scheme as built is unknown, all efforts to uncover it have been in vain. I am led to believe that perhaps it was originally just a timber finished and later painted blue (see below). Note the open verandah, picket fence and hitching rail. This photograph was sent in by Vicky Bennett, author of many books including Two Pennies and production assistant on the Documentary “Never Forget Australia” which featured this precise photograph. You can learn more about Vicky on her website www.vickibennett.com.au. We have Vicky to thank immensely for putting us in touch with Sally Elliot, the granddaughter of Tim Tovell who built this building.
Between 1915 and around 1926
Likely taken some years after the 1915 photograph, note the sign is now dark lettering instead of light as per the 1915 photograph and a new large tree on the left side of the photograph. The large tree on the right of the photo is likely the bottle tree that is seen in the 1915 photo. Note the horizontal timber boards on the lower fascia of the building. These two photographs were published in “Jandowae Town and District History 1847-1988” by Jack Haselwood and are also in the collection (and with permission) of the Jandowae & District Progress & Heritage Association.
Circa 1926-1929
There is a photograph from 1926 of the Jandowae Lighthouse troops in “Wambo the changing face of Rural Australia” by Chris Ashton. Vince Scouller had this photograph tagged with the year 1929. I am therefore assuming that this photograph was taken perhaps during the same procession which may have taken place sometime around the mid to late 1920s. Note the signage seems identical to the previous photographs but the walls of the building in this photograph appear lighter, leading me to believe that at this time the building may have already sported the blue colour scheme (see below). Photo courtesy of Peter Ireland from the collection (and with permission) of the Jandowae & District Progress & Heritage Association.
Between 1938 and 1942
For three years, a third bank operated in Jandowae, the Bank of New South Wales. It was housed in the old Yared Abraham Store at the site of the current library. Mr Walker was the manager. Photo courtesy of Peter Ireland from the collection (and with permission) of the Jandowae & District Progress & Heritage Association.
31st October 1940
The Union Bank across from the Queensland National Bank burnt down during the night of the 31st of October 1940. Only the chimney stack and strong room remained when morning dawned. The manager and his wife (Mr & Mrs Hunter) lost all of their belongings, however most documents from inside the strong room and office were able to be saved. The Union Bank operated for a short 
time from the old electrical shop next door to the Bank of New South Wales until the new premises were rebuilt on the original site and reopened in February 1942. The Union Bank later became the ANZ after merging with the Bank of Australia in October 1951.
1948
The Queensland National Bank Limited merged with the National Bank of Australasia Limited and came under its banner.
Between 1948 and 1955
Taken from the water tower on Hickey Street, this is the first known colour photograph showing the building! Note the large red roof just to the right of centre – this was the newly rebuilt Union Bank which places the photo definitely post 1942. The signage states “The National Bank” which indicates the photograph was taken post the 1948 merger and subsequent rebranding. In around 1955 Jandowae suffered large flooding, after which the bitumen on High Street was extended all the way to the gutters. Inspecting the photo it is quite possible this blue colour scheme was the same as exhibited in the previous two photographs. Note the concrete pavement dressing the entire front path area of the building. Photo courtesy of Peter Ireland from the collection (and with permission) of the Jandowae & District Progress & Heritage Association.
Circa 1955
This was the first photograph I was able to find of the colour scheme showing the branch now in cream with white and mission brown trim. Unfortunately the UQ-run website prohibits reproduction due to their own licensing agreements, however the photograph may be viewed at this address: www.queenslandplaces.com.au/node/10072. Note the signage on the side of the fascia reads “National Bank of Australasia” and the roof is still silver (galvanised) in this photo. The picket fence is still there, as is the concrete path in front. The hitching rail seems to be on the George Street side now. And the big bottle tree is still there. Also note the horizontal boards on the lower fascia have been replaced by a horizontal timber skirting fence which is still there today.
Between 1955 and 1966
These photographs taken from probably the verandah of the Club Hotel on George Street are of an undated sports march (although the black and white photo seems to be of a different 
march – note the absence of cars). Note, however, that the roof has been painted red (perhaps during the renovations in 1956?), whilst the building largely exhibits the same colour scheme as the 1955 photograph. The National Bank branding adorns the top sign and the bank’s crest is clearly visible on the smaller fascia above the stairs. Whilst the picket fence is still intact, the large bottle tree visible in the 1955 photograph has now gone. It would have stood roughly where the lady in red is standing. Photos courtesy of Peter Ireland from the collection (and with permission) of the Jandowae & District Progress & Heritage Association.
1966
This beautiful crisp photograph dated 1966 with information pertaining to “extensive renovations” which were conducted in 1956 was sent to us by NAB Archives. The architects were Lange L. Powell, Dodds and Thorpe and the builder was Frank Gooderham. Amazingly, the architectural firm is still in existence today, now known as PDT Architects. I contacted them for information, however they weren’t successful in finding anything within their own archives, thus they’ve referred me to the Fryer Library, from whom I am at this time awaiting a response. I’ve also contacted Frank Gooderham’s family and they are looking through his old records and will notify me if they find anything of relevance. So far as the 1966 photograph, it is black and white, however it sports what appears to be the cream colour scheme as per the previous photo. The red roof is apparent. The white picket fence had been removed in favour of a wire fence that still stands today. A young tree had been planted halfway down the right hand side and oleanders had been planted to the left of the stairs in front of the old verandah which itself had been closed in, most likely during those renovations. A little garden bed is evident in front of the staircase verandah and the concrete pavement is also still there. Photograph reproduced with permission of NAB Group Archives, National Australia Bank Ltd.
1981
The National Bank of Australasia merged with the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney and became the National Commercial Banking Corporation of Australia Limited, becoming the National Australia Bank by 1982.
1983
Another photograph sent to us from NAB Archives. The colour photograph shows the bank in a slightly different cream-like colour, although the aging of the photograph makes it difficult to discern whether it is in fact cream or more likely to be the pinkish colour the bank building sports even today. The trims seem to correlate to the colours still evident on the building today. The signage has been updated to the new National Australia Bank font and logo, although the large, wide boards that the building has today are not there, instead it seems as though one board just the right size for the business logo has been applied on the front. The small tree in the 1966 photo has now grown taller than the roof of the building and the oleanders are to the top of the windows on the old verandah. Photograph reproduced with permission of NAB Group Archives, National Australia Bank Ltd.
Between June 1 1996 to August 1996
The National Australia Bank’s branch in Jandowae closed. From an article in the Courier-Mail of Saturday, 1 June 1996. “The National Australia Bank will close branches in Surat, Jandowae, Kalbar, Bollon, Goombungee and Leyburn in the grain belt of the Darling Downs and Western Darling Downs.”
August 1996
Sold for $45,000
August 2001
Sold for $60,000
December 2005
Sold for $78,000
18th November 2008
This photo is available freely on wiki commons and is dated precisely. A decade after the branch closed. Note the oleanders are much higher than the roof of the verandah. It is difficult to tell from this view whether the foliage on the right hand side of the photo is the same tree seen in the 1966 and 1983 photos . Part of the railings have disappeared and it almost appears as though someone tried to start painting the staircase then gave up partway down the right railing. The yellow paint, albeit faded, is still exhibited today. Unfortunately, the building failed to receive much TLC beyond this point.
Circa 2009
Photo taken by Phillip Atkinson and shown on his website www.jandowae.com. The growth of the oleanders place this photo sometime between the last photo in 2008 and the next in 2010. The large tree down the right side is definitely absent. Photo reproduced with permission of Phillip Atkinson.
March 2010
This screenshot is from Google Maps at this link and is reproduced under their licence. The image was taken in March 2010 showing the previously cut down Oleanders regrowing. The yellow paint has started fading and more paint has flaked off. Note the little bottle tree planted at the site of the original large bottle tree.
September 2013
Sold for $125,000 by Cottee Real Estate Bracken Ridge
20 July 2018
Sold to current owners. Follow the renovations and restoration progress on the “Progress Blog” page. This photograph was taken on the 2nd of August 2018 just after the building was levelled and the oleanders and other bushes down the left side of the building cleared.