A century-old Queenslander in Hendra is on the market for the first time, marking the end of a 100-year family legacy. The home, named Harglad, was built by Harold Cary in 1927 using timber from his family’s mill in the Mary Valley. Cary named the house after himself and his wife, Gladys, a tribute to their partnership and the home they would build together.

Located at 24 Flemington Street, the property has been handcrafted and cherished by the same family for generations. Cary’s grandson, Colin Miller, shared insights into the home’s history, highlighting its heritage charm and blue-chip location. Miller emphasized the emotional weight of the decision to sell, noting that the property has been a constant in his life, intertwined with family memories and traditions.

A Family Legacy in Timber

Cary, a local builder, sourced the timber for Harglad from his family’s sawmill near Amamoor. The mill, owned by his father, Thomas William Cary, supplied cedar pine, softwoods, and hardwoods for the construction. Thomas William Cary was a prominent timber merchant and sawmiller in southeast Queensland, with another sawmill at Newstead, near the gasworks. The timber was transported via a railway line that connected to the wharves, facilitating the movement of materials to Bowen Hills and then to Newstead and Teneriffe.

Miller noted that the house was built entirely by hand, without power tools. “We are talking about heavy timber using handsaws and hand drills,” he said, expressing awe at his grandfather’s craftsmanship. The meticulous construction process shows the dedication and skill that went into creating Harglad, a sign of Cary’s expertise as a builder.

A Community Hub in Hendra

After completing Harglad, Cary built the neighboring house at No. 26 for his mother-in-law, naming it Lenrow after a family cattle property near Roma. Miller’s parents later purchased this property, creating a three-block family compound. This arrangement supported a close-knit family environment, with no fence between the two backyards, effectively merging the properties into one large family space.

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Growing up in the 1960s, Miller recalls a lively neighborhood with horses from Doomben racetrack and a blacksmith across the street. He also fondly remembers a custard apple tree in his grandparents’ backyard, which earned him and his siblings pocket money for leaf collection. “We’d pick up all the dead leaves and our grandparents would give us pocket money for doing it,” Miller recalls. “To us kids, it was the money tree.” The tree, brought from the Roma property, was a source of both income and nostalgia for the children.

A Home Steeped in History

Harglad sits on a 599-square-metre corner lot with over 50 metres of dual street frontage. Miller’s grandmother, whose family hailed from Roma, brought her country roots to the property, cultivating flowers and vegetables. Her green thumb transformed the garden into a lively space, reflecting her connection to the land and her rural upbringing.

The home has been a gathering place for four generations. Miller reflected on its emotional significance, stating, “Growing up with my grandparents here was just incredible.” He added, “I could talk to my grandmother or grandfather about things that I couldn’t tell Mum and Dad because they were a little more lenient, if you know what I mean.” Miller’s grandfather died in 1972, and his grandmother lived in Harglad until her death in 1990. His parents eventually moved into the house after selling No. 26, maintaining the family’s deep connection to the property.

A New Chapter for Harglad

After the passing of Miller’s parents in 2021 and 2023, the family decided to sell the property. Miller, who has been its caretaker, expressed sadness but hopes to find a buyer who will respect its heritage. “We’ve got a responsibility as custodians to honor and respect what happens once it leaves our hands,” he said. The sale marks the end of a century-long connection, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship and family tradition.

Miller acknowledges the emotional challenge of letting go but remains hopeful that the new owners will cherish Harglad as much as his family has. “If I was to drive past in two or three years’ time and look at it and shake my head, that would be difficult,” he admits, showing the importance of finding the right buyer for this historic home.