Mining & Hardware Supplies Pty Ltd

William McQueen owned Mining and Hardware Supplies Co. Ltd., 99 Brisbane Street & 15 East Street. He was also the owner of the Box Flat Mine.

Mining & Hardware Supplies Co. Ltd was William McQueen’s other legacy to the rich history of Ipswich and its community. They sold mining equipment, tools and general household items. Its various premises were in the CBD so would have been very visible and recognisible to shoppers and workers, and a familiar part of the Ipswich landscape for generations. The company traded for several decades, operating from at least 1920 to 1964 – long after its founder’s death.

In 1926 Mining & Hardware Supplies expanded when C. J. Gordon’s White Arcade was acquired along with its stock of glassware, crockery, homewares and hardware. The two businesses occupied the same building and Mr Gordon was retained as manager. A few years later, responding to the popularity of motor cars and associated demand for garaging, a five bay parking shed was erected to the rear of Mining & Hardware Supplies’ ironmongery shop. 

Later in that year the premises of the company were remodelled by architect M.W. Haenke with construction by W. Shearer. Following these additions and alterations to the two storey building, adjacent businesses were Mr W. B. Parkinson Auctioneer, Londy’s Café, John Hunter & Sons’ boot business, with the White Arcade occupying a new shop.