Traveston Powder Magazine (former) (incorporated in Traveston Soldiers' Memorial Hall)

This unassuming brick and timber Soldier’s Memorial Hall near the Traveston train station has a fascinating history. It dates back to the deep-reef gold mining days in Gympie: Queensland’s first major productive gold field. The brick component of the hall is a rare early powder magazine; constructed in Gympie in 1887 specifically to store dynamite. It was the third powder magazine in Gympie. The first two, built in 1868 and 1878, were both iron-clad timber structures. Despite the strength of the 9m by 6m structure with 355mm thick brick walls, agitation by local residents concerned about safety, led to the relocation of all three magazines to Traveston in 1899. The buildings were moved close to the railway line, enabling easy transport of explosives back to Gympie. After mining declined, the powder magazines were closed and offered for sale in 1921. The Traveston and District Progress Association purchased the brick building for use as a soldier’s memorial hall from 1923. A WWII honour board, complementing the one from the Great War, was installed in 1948 when the timber extension was added. Since 1989, the building has been managed by the local council. The site includes tennis courts and a fire brigade.