Geo. W. Jupp – Grocery, Hardware, Drapery Established 1895

Throughout the history of Proserpine many family names are mentioned. Today, we can attribute the development of Proserpine and surrounds to the foresight, confidence, and generosity of these people. One such family was the Jupp family after whom a street in Proserpine is fittingly named.

The Jupps settled in Proserpine in 1895, but the family had made a great impact in the district prior to this date having relocated from Bowen. Jonathon Jupp, his wife, Maria (née Forward), and children, Emily 13 and George 12, arrived in Bowen from Manchester, England on 1/2/1884 on the steamer ‘Duke of Buckingham’. Jonathon was a saddler but on the shipping records, he was listed as a gardener and carpenter.

The family lived at Ukalunda mine 120 miles south west of Bowen. Jonathon became a hawker and travelled with his horse drawn covered wagon between Bowen and Proserpine selling his household goods to the delight of the women folk.  Sharing news, gossip and passing on the neighbours’ messages, Jonathon was always a welcome sight. It was a great thrill to see someone, such was the isolation of these women and children upon whom he called. A piece of hat trimming, a pipe for father, materials, cotton, pots and pans - he had it all.

Spending a lot of time on her own must have been hard for his wife, Maria. Sadly, she died of rheumatic fever in 1890. In 1895, Jonathon and his son, George, a saddler, moved to Proserpine where they built a store - Jupp & Son Store in what is now known as Main Street. This was situated at the present site of Epicure.

The store catered for everyone, with stocks of food, clothing and farm equipment. At the time there were only three other buildings in Main Street. The rest of the area was bush with blady grass and acacia bushes. A small amount of sugar was growing, the sugar mill was being built, families were moving into the district and workers were needed for the cattle and sugar industry. The area was growing.

When his store was built, Mr Jupp Senior arranged to have a postal service office (known as Lower Proserpine) and, in 1896, this service was elevated to Post Office. In the following year, he applied for the erection of telegraph quarters and connection with the main line. The new telegraph wires hung for 21 months before a telephone was installed! In 1905, a Post and Telegraph Office was built in Main Street.

Jonathon Jupp died in Bowen in 1903 leaving his son, George to carry on the business. Before his death, a new shop was built and called “J Jupp & Son, General Storekeepers”. Then, in 1908, George Jupp built a new store with a façade clearly announcing – “Established 1895, Geo. W. Jupp – Grocery, Hardware, Drapery.” George lived on the corner of Main and Chapman Street next to his store.

George Jupp contributed significantly to the community. He was a foundation member of the Proserpine Shire Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Loyal Proserpine Lodge MUIOOF. He was a member of many other organisations including the Hospital Committee, the Rifle Club and the State School Committee.

A friend to all, he lent valuable assistance to the many struggling farmers in those earlier days. He was also a very talented man and turned his hand to icing many wedding cakes that featured intricate designs and much detail.

George’s wife, Rose Mary Jupp, died in March 1940 and two weeks later, George died. Their daughter, Lillian, married earlier in January. The family continued the business on the site of 47 Main Street and eventually sold in 1946 to Mr John Maltby and his sister, Rose.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum

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