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Originally called 'Limestone' in 1827 by Captain Patrick Logan who set up a
small convict settlement on the banks of the Bremer River to quarry limestone
and build a lime burning kiln to supply the new Brisbane settlement with stone
and lime for buildings. Sheep breeding was also introduced. It wasn't until 1842
when free settlement was allowed that the area was opened up surveyed and named
Limestone Station. The very next year the town was called Ipswich. Mining took
on importance in the late 1800's as did dairying, railways soon followed to
assist the extraction of coal. The first rail line to be built in Queensland was
in fact between Ipswich and Grandchester built in 1865.
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