Bread, a staple of the human diet from prehistoric times1, is still popular today with an ever-growing number of varieties available to consumers. Over the years, the nutrients contained in bread have not only sustained humanity, but the smell of it baking has also been credited – rightly or not – with helping individuals sell their homes and even making passers-by kinder. 2 3 4 Back in the day Rosewood residents, like many others around the world, would have experienced the aromas of freshly baked bread and other goods as they walked around town socialising or conducting business.
An early Rosewood baker was a gentleman named Mr Phillip Angel. Born in Germany, having learnt the bakery trade in London, Mr Angel came to Rosewood by way of Brisbane. 5 On 06 September 1884, he married Louisa (Louise) Beavis, daughter of Martin and Marzellah (nee Palfrey). 6 They had two sons – Conrad Martin and Herbert. 7, 8
In August 1888, Mr Angel announced in the Queensland Times that his new and spacious premises was open for business.9 Known as Rosewood Store and Bakery, he provided an array of goods including drapery, grocery, ironmongery and crockery. 10 Visiting Rosewood a month later, a Queensland Times correspondent regarded Mr P. Angel’s general store and bakery as possibly ‘the largest and best building in the district.’ 11 Within this article it was noted that Mr Angel was the only baker in Rosewood and that nearby buildings included the Commercial Hotel and Mr Aspinall’s store (boot and shoemaker). For its time, his store appears to have been rather impressive, as even during its construction it was reported that ‘for convenience and comfort, as well as architectural beauty, [it] leaves many stores, even in Ipswich, a long way behind.’ 12
Hailing from New South Wales, James Edward Evers was another well-known baker in the area, working first in Brisbane, before moving to the Rosewood area in the early 1910s and marrying Elizabeth Henderson, daughter of John and Williamina. 13,14,15 Evers’ Bakery, located at 42 John Street, originally housed wood-fired ovens constructed by Donald and Sons of Brisbane. 16 Attached to their shop was the family home, which was extended over the years to accommodate the growth of their family. 17 In March 1925, at the age of 38, James passed away leaving his wife realty and personal property worth £2981. 18,19 Following his death, Elizabeth was listed as proprietress of the bakery.20
James and Elizabeth’s sons followed their father into the bakery trade, both of them working in Rosewood until James, the eldest, moved to Brisbane some time in the early 1950s. 21 Norm continued with the business until its closure in 1971. 22 As can be seen by the image below, customers exiting the bakery in the late 1950s would have experienced different sights compared with those seen in more modern times.
In times gone by, another successful Rosewood baker was Henry Duncan Dow. Offering his customers the option of delivery of goods by cart, he operated in the area for 25 years before selling his John Street business and property in 1927. 23 24 Despite this long-term success, Mr Dow experienced challenges during his time in Rosewood, suffering a substantial financial loss in October 1919 when his bakehouse was completely destroyed by fire. 25 Though the building itself was partly insured, a large amount of uninsured goods were also lost in the fire.
After relocating to Murgon, Mr Dow’s success continued. He built ‘an up-to-date bakery with a “beehive” oven and brick bakehouse’, and as his trade grew, the “D” brand on his bread loaves became very familiar to local residents. 26 He was married to Mabel Adams (nee New) and of their 12 children, almost all the sons followed their father into the bakery trade. 27, 28
Though not a comprehensive account of all Rosewood bakeries, it is clear that for much of the township’s history there has been a bakery in John Street providing residents with their “daily bread” and cakes for special occasions.
Information taken from:
3. Nicolas Guéguen. The Sweet Smell of … Implicit Helping: Effects of Pleasant Ambient Fragrance on Spontaneous Help in Shopping Malls The Journal of Social Psychology, Volume 152, 2012 – Issue 4, pp 397-400 (Accessed 17 June 2020).
4. Pat Hagan. How the Aroma of Freshly Baked Bread Makes Us Kinder to Strangers. The Daily Mail, Australia. 1 November 2012 (Access 17 June 2020).
6. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950, p.862, Registration Number: 001338
7. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, p.587, Registration Number: 009326
8. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, p.587, Registration Number: 008558
9. Queensland Times, Saturday, 18 August 1888, p.3. Advertising
10. Queensland Times, Saturday, 25 August 1888, p. 4. Advertising
11. Queensland Times, Saturday 29 September 1888, p.3. A Glimpse of Rosewood
12. Queensland Times, Saturday 2 June 1888, p. 5. Rosewood
13. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, Registration Number: 8703
14. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980
15. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950, p.7827, Registration Number: 001391
17. Buchanan Architects. Expanded Ipswich Heritage Study, Volume 2, Ipswich City Council, 1997, p. 414
18. Queensland Times, Saturday 21 March 1925, p.2. Family Notices
19. Queensland Times, Monday 3 August 1925, p.4. Personal
20. Queensland Times, Tuesday 16 July 1929, p. 4. Advertising
21. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980
22.Buchanan Architects. Expanded Ipswich Heritage Study, Volume 2, Ipswich City Council, 1997, p. 414
23.The Brisbane Courier, Friday 14 January 1927, p. 6. Rosewood
24. The Catholic Advocate, Thursday 12 July 1923, p.38. Advertising
25. The Brisbane Courier, Monday 06 October 1919, p.8. A Bakehouse Destroyed
26. The Brisbane Courier. Thursday 18 April 1929, p.20. Mr H.D. Dow
27. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950, p.692, Registration Number: B016654
28. Ancestry Library Edition. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980