By Ron Gillinder
BANKFOOT House, believed to be the oldest residence in the Glasshouse Mountains, was established by William and Mary Grigor along the old Gympie Road in 1868.
In those challenging times, one can only wonder how the Grigor family, with three children under four years of age, managed to stay cool during the long hot summers.
No doubt there was strong competition for the horse trough!
Water had to be carried from nearby Coonowrin Creek and among the many historic objects in Bankfoot House is a wooden shoulder yoke used to carry two buckets of water.
At bath time, several trips were necessary to ensure sufficient water was available to fill the galvanized tubs.
Dad was usually first to bathe and then each family member went in turn down to the youngest child.
After all had bathed, the water had turned a very muddy colour. It really did mean taking care not to throw the baby out with the bath water.
Mary Grigor was a key figure in the relatively isolated rural community. Reports show, in the absence of medical and hospital facilities, Mary became the unofficial midwife for the surrounding district.
Early pioneers were known to drop their wives off at Bankfoot House into Mary’s care for up to six weeks.
Prior to her marriage to William in 1863, Mary had worked as governess to the children of Captain John Clements Wickham, who lived at Newstead House in Brisbane.
Mary passed away on 12 June 1900 and William on 15 July 1907.
