File:StateLibQld 1 70647 James Brimblecombe's residence 'Fairview' at Brookfield, Brisbane, 1920s.jpg

English: James Brimblecombe's residence 'Fairview' at Brookfield, Brisbane, 1920s

Brookfield, early 1920s. Fairview, the home of James Brimblecombe, was built in 1875. (Description supplied with photograph) Fairview was the second home of the Brimblecombe family, who were pioneers of the Brookfield area. James Stephens Brimblecombe arrived in Brisbane in April 1869 from the Hunter River district of New South Wales. He obtained 71 acres of scrub land on Gold Creek and within a few months had built a small home of hardwood slabs which was named 'Bannerfield'. His wife, Lucinda, and children arrived shortly after. Fairview was built in 1874 on Rafting Ground Road being closer to the local school and church. For a time a room off the verandah at Fairview operated as the local post office. The Brimblecombes prospered at dairying and agriculture, selling butter and eggs. James died in 1915 and his wife, Lucinda, in 1912.

Brookfield, regarded as one of Brisbane's later developing suburbs, actually was one of the earliest areas settled. The fertile country in the district was farmed as early as 1850 with dairying and small crops being the main occupation. By the early 1870s population growth warranted the establishment of the first primary school in the area. Timber getting was also an early industry and there are the remains of a number of old gold mines in the district.