Clayfield’s Old School with a Surprising Story!
If you've travelled along Bayview Terrace, you may have passed Eagle Junction State School without realising you're looking at a place that has been educating local children for more than 130 years!
But here's the surprise...
It wasn't always called Eagle Junction State School.
IT STARTED LIFE AS CLAYFIELD SCHOOL!
In the 1890s, Clayfield was growing rapidly. The railway had arrived in 1882, making the area much easier to reach from Brisbane, and new homes and families were following.
Local residents began pushing for a school, and on 8 July 1895, their efforts finally paid off.
A new school opened on one acre of land as Clayfield School.
And it was almost immediately overwhelmed!
The school had been expected to cater for around 150 children, but 279 pupils were recorded on the roll by the end of the first quarter.
The first head teacher was Denis Tracy Lyons and there's a lovely family connection here.
The first pupil enrolled was Elvira Lyons, his daughter!
But the growing numbers created a problem...
THE SCHOOL WAS ALREADY TOO SMALL!
An extension was added in 1897, followed by further extensions in 1905 and 1911.
Then came another change.
In 1901, Clayfield School became Eagle Junction State School.
Why?
It was all about the railway.
Eagle Junction railway station was closer to the school than Clayfield station, and the name change helped make sure school supplies arriving by rail were sent to the correct station - Eagle Junction rather than Clayfield.
And the school just kept growing!
By 1916, enrolments had reached around 1,000 students, even though the school could comfortably accommodate only about 700.
An open-air annexe was added in 1918 to help deal with the overcrowding.
Then, in 1924...
1,300 PUPILS WERE ENROLLED!
That's a huge school by any standard!
The extensions of 1905 and 1911 had helped create the distinctive H-shaped arrangement of the main school buildings, much of which remains an important part of the site's heritage.
And there's even more history at the front gates...
In 1924, wrought-iron memorial gates were erected to honour former pupils and staff who had served in the First World War. The gates were designed by Commonwealth Architect Evan Smith.
After the Second World War, two classrooms were remodelled as a library, including a stained-glass memorial window.
The Memorial Library officially opened on 21 May 1949, honouring those connected with the school who had served in the Second World War.
And the old school has even survived a fire.
The western wing of the original school buildings was destroyed by fire in 1975, although it was later rebuilt.
So next time you're passing Eagle Junction State School, take a second look.
Behind those gates is a story stretching all the way back to 1895 when this much-loved school was simply known as...
CLAYFIELD SCHOOL.
And with generations of local children passing through its gates, it's certainly one of Clayfield's great pieces of living history.
Did you, your parents, grandparents or other family members attend Eagle Junction State School?
We'd love to hear your memories — and maybe see some old school photos!
Tell us your Eagle Junction story!
To ℎelp bring tℎis story to life, we’ve carefully colourised a ℎistorical pℎotograpℎ from tℎe Queensland State Arcℎives collection. Wℎile every effort ℎas been made to remain as ℎistorically accurate as possible, colourisation involves some interpretation. As a result, minor imperfections or artistic cℎoices may be present in tℎe final image.
