Watson Bros - Butchers

The firm was established in 1878/1879 by brothers John, Samuel and Richard Watson. Brother-in-law Roderick McLeod joined them in business for a while. After a few years McLeod and the Watsons parted company with McLeod retaining the branch/branches at North Ipswich. 

By 1895 Watson Bros. owned three butcher shops in Nicholas Street and Brisbane Street.

Circa 1899/early 1900s one of the Brisbane Street stores was located near the Post Office, looking east towards Queens Park,  and opposite Cribb & Foote on a site previously occupied by Beattie, a bookseller. Curiously, the name Watson Bros. & McLeod - Carcass & Family Butchers is still visible on the shop exterior. It is believed that by then the Watsons and McLeod would have already split their joint business arrangements. 

In 1918 the shop in Nicholas Street was beside Barry & Roberts and 2 doors from the Central Hotel.

The other Brisbane Street store was located at "the cutting". (The cutting refers to vicinity of Burnett Street bridge over the railway line.)

Watson Bros. also had butcher shops on the northside and West Ipswich.