Home of the "Father of Ipswich" sold
ONE of the region's most historic homesteads once owned by the "Father of Ipswich" has been sold.
The Normanby Homestead at Warrill View has been sold following post-auction negotiations for an undisclosed sum.
The homestead, located 25 minutes from Ipswich in the Scenic Rim, was owned by George Thorn Sr, one of the founders of the city of Ipswich, and his son George Thorn Jr, the sixth premier of Queensland.
The property was passed in at an auction in November following spirited bidding from five registered parties.
The sale the homestead attracted widespread public interest with the sale attracting more than 140 inquiries from locals as well as across the state and nation, with more than 80 inspections taking place.
The 115 hectare property includes 10 freehold titles.
The property is one of Queensland's earliest pastoral holdings, having been first settled in the 1840s before it was purchased by Mr Thorn Sr.
According to Ray White Rural salesmen Barry Quinn and Lex Heinemann descendants of the Thorn family were some of the people who visited the house.
"Members of the Thorn family were among the people who took the chance to inspect the house," Mr Quinn said.
We had around 140 inquiries, and over half of those went on to inspect the property.
"There were four main selling points for the house, the size; the very good infrastructure and water; the location and of course the history."
Mr Thorn was elected as a member of the original electoral district of West Moreton.
His son was elected in the same district before winning a seat as the inaugural member for the newly-founded electorate of Fassifern. He was the member for Fassifern from 1873 to 1874, before being elected in the seat of Ipswich in 1876 where he was premier.
The previous owners, the Macarthur family, have resided at the Scenic Rim homestead since 1961.
The homestead, a substantial colonial house, was built around 1866, and overlooks Warroolaba Creek. It was refurbished earlier this year and includes six bedrooms and a study.
