Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store (former)

Two unassuming buildings on Magazine Street, Stratford, have provided the street with its name. Both are concrete structures built in 1901 as storage for explosives and detonators. The larger, rectangular building was the explosives store, with the detonators stored in the small square building nearby. From the late 1860s, most explosives were used in the mining industry. Cairns was the gateway to the Hodgkinson gold fields, the Atherton Tableland tin mines and the Chillagoe copper mines. Explosives imported into Queensland were the responsibility of the Department of Harbours and Marine. From 1884, explosives were stored on a magazine barge moored on the east side of Trinity Inlet, hence the naming of Magazine Creek nearby. In 1900, the Government Architect designed the two brick and concrete buildings, as well as a timber residence for the magazine keeper. The facilities served well until WWII, when storage needs increased. A new facility was built at Queerah, south of Cairns, in 1942. From June 1942 until May 1954, the Stratford facility was occupied by Australian Military Forces. By 1953, the property was leased and later sold to the proprietor of the adjacent sawmill. The buildings are visible from the street, but not publically accessible.