Alright, get ready to spot a slice of history on your right! If you look ahead, you’ll see a grand, cream-colored building with a clock perched on top. This is the Bolands Centre. The building has a distinctly charming, classical look with large arched windows and ornate details running along the edge of its roof. The name "Boland's" is unmissable, emblazoned at the center above the entrance and on the side facade.
The Bolands Centre is a heritage-listed department store located at Lake Street, Cairns City, Cairns. Designed by Edward Gregory Waters and built in 1912, this magnificent structure was once home to a David Jones department store and a well-loved toy shop. Also known as Boland's Building or Boland's Departmental Store, this historic gem was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 7, 2006.
Constructed from reinforced concrete, the Bolands Centre was erected in 1912-1913 for Michael Boland, an Irish immigrant who made his way to Australia in 1881, becoming a leading merchant in Cairns. This building was designed by Cairns architect Edward Gregory Waters and, for many years, stood as the tallest structure in the city. It’s a fantastic example of an early 20th-century department store and the last of its kind still standing in Cairns.
Michael Boland's journey is a classic rags-to-riches story. Born in 1863 in Ireland, Boland moved to Dublin at age 15 to study business briefly before emigrating to Australia in 1879. His initial lodgings were in Melbourne, followed by a stint in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, where he gained experience as a grocer at his uncle's store. He arrived in Cairns in 1882, where he purchased a small plot on Lily Street and embarked on various economic ventures. Between 1882 and 1887, his ventures included clearing streets and establishing a hotel during the construction of the Cairns-to-Herberton railway line. These diverse undertakings provided him with the capital to return to Cairns in 1890 and establish a modest grocery shop on Abbott Street, which was then the commercial center of Cairns.
In 1893, Boland faced significant business challenges due to a global recession and the closure of the National Bank of Queensland. Yet, Boland’s shrewd business sense saw him through the “store wars”-an intense competitive period-and in 1898, he moved his business to an allotment at the northeast corner of Lake and Spence Streets. This area eventually became known as "The Golden Block" for its concentration of prominent firms. Boland’s business grew steadily, adapting and expanding to meet the demands of a growing Cairns.
Today, the Bolands Centre stands as a testament to Michael Boland’s entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and the essential role his enterprise played in the development of Cairns. Isn’t it amazing how one building can tell such an expansive story?
Alright, onward! Our next stop is the third landmark on this historic trail: The Cairns Post. Keep enjoying the walk!
