Thornton, Queensland Accommodation

The history of Thornton Public School has been well documented and the area is correctly described as being 'rich in history and one of the most fertile valleys in the world'. Generations of families have their foundations here and many remain as a testiment to many years of back-breaking work and hardships endured in order to eek out a living from the land. The story of Thornton Public School became a public concern when the other two small hamlets of Mulgowie and Townson were too far in distance for some children to travel. A very generous farming family by the name of McGrath, donated 14 acres of land to the School Authority in 1880. After much negotiation with this Authority the school doors finally opened in 1889 with many children riding for miles on horseback to attend. The school very soon became a local meeting place for many social functions, including Saturday night dances. The old school house is as it was then, with the exception of extensions at both ends which have been added to carefully reflect the original style...