BRICKWORKS & POTTERIES
OF THE IPSWICH (Qld) REGION

  Alister J Cameron       

Bremer Mills

Article on The Bremer Mills (PDF)

Historical Summary

     Bremer Mills was established on a 33 acre block of land in 1851 by Joseph Fleming after he arrived in Ipswich via the Darling Downs in 1850.
     The Mills were located on the banks of the Bremer River in Bundamba and were originally used as a boiling down works. However, after the purchasing of a further two blocks of land the services were extended to include a saw mill, flour mill and a brick works. The property also contained accommodation and a school and church for his 300 strong workforce and families.
     At this period of time it was common for multiple industry productions to be operated through one site and as such there was another site similar to The Bremer Mills operating out of Redbank, which was owned by James Campbell.

MAP OF BREMER MILLS SITE SHOWING STRUCTURES VISIBLE FROM THE AIR
BREMER MILLS AREA FROM ABOVE Bremer Mills label shows approximate location of brick remains. Dark line is possible trajectory of tramway. Underlay: Qld Globe (Ausmap) Overlay: QGIS Vector
WATER TREATMENT WORKS WHICH DOMINATES THE MILLS SITE 2021 Photo: Alister J Cameron
ONE OF THE VIEWS OF THE REST OF THE BREMER MILLS SITE 2021 Very little remains. Photo: Alister J Cameron
POSSIBLE TRAMWAY ALLIGNMENT LOOKING EAST TOWARDS INLET 2021 Bremer River is on left. Archaeology remains are next to the short trees at top of bank. Orange flagged area is one of the dig sites undertaken by a group of archaeologists Photo: Alister J Cameron
BREMER MILLS SITE WITH THE BREMER RIVER ON THE RIGHT 1991 Picture Ipswich qips-2011-09-09-0050p.jpg Document ID: 14387
SAME STRETCH OF RIVER IN 2021 The height of the banks is very evident. Photo: Alister J Cameron
BANK OF THE BREMER WHERE BRICK SCATTERING CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN 1991 Picture Ipswich qips-2011-09-09-0046p.jpg Document ID: 14385
BRICK AND FLAGSTONE FLOORING AT TOP OF BANK 2021 Possibly remains of flour mill. Photo: Alister J Cameron
CLOSEUP OF BRICK FLOOR 2021 Photo: Alister J Cameron
EXCAVATION BY ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP EVERICK FOUNDATION IN PROCESS 2021 Shows thick layer of broken bricks just under the surface. Photo: Alister J Cameron
AN EXCAVATION OF BRICK AREA 2012 Has been excavated more than once and filled in again. Archaeological Survey 2012 Everick Heritage Consultants Pty Ltd

Description:  Pink, sandy brick with smears of mortar.
Condition:  Some fissures.
Type:  Sandstock House Brick.
Frog:  Slight depression one side only.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Brick structure area, Bremer Mills site.
Current Location:  My Collection.

Description:  White, slightly-grainy brick.
Condition:  Very crumbled.
Type:  Kiln Brick?
Frog:  Flat frog with angled edges; one side only.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Bremer Mills area south-east.
Current Location:  My Collection.