Proserpine Over 150 Years

Officially recognised in 1873, the township of Proserpine turns 150 years old in 2023.

The town of Proserpine began when brothers George and Charles Waite took up a parcel of land, from the railway corner to Glen Isla, on the south side of Main Street.

From then, Proserpine exponentially boomed, becoming the central hub that the town now is.

1895 – First school opened, at Kelsey Creek. Stores set up by Jonathon Jupp.

1896 – Jonathon Jupp operated an unofficial post and telegraph office. Proserpine’s first church, Presbyterian Church and Manse

1897 – Proserpine Central Mill constructed. First police station, of two tents, was established.

1902 – Proserpine continued to grow. J Jupp and Sons began a new store on Main Street. The Great Northern Hotel, now known as the Metropole, was constructed.

1904 – Jubilee Pocket saw its first settlement.

1907 – First bank, the Bank of New South Wales, opened on Main Street.

1910 – Proserpine declared a separate shire from Bowen, in January. The first Proserpine Show occurred.

1911 – First public hospital opened.

1919 – First cenotaph established.

1923 – Proserpine Mill produced 35,840lbs sugar can crushed, 4,730 tonnes of raw sugar, 370lbs of tobacco leaf, and 84,80lbs of butter.

1929 – Electricity switched on

1930 – The ambulance opened their own building in Chapman Street.

1939 – Cannonvale Jetty opened for use.

1944 – Secondary education available for students.

1949 – Massive fire destroyed a block of four shops in Main Street.

1951 – Proserpine Airport opened.

1986 – Proserpine Nursing Home officially opened.

1991 - Proserpine Dam officially opened.

1995 – VMR building officially opened

2001 – The new Proserpine Historical Museum officially opened.

2013 – Proserpine Show celebrated its 100th anniversary.

2022 – Official opening of Proserpine Entertainment Centre. Proserpine State School, Proserpine Sugar Mill and Proserpine Police celebrate 125 years.

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Information and images sourced from Proserpine Historical Museum.