Kingston Butter Factory
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The Kingston Butter Factory is a community arts centre in Kingston, Queensland, Australia. It is located adjacent to the Kingston railway station. The factory underpinned the local dairying industry for six decades.[1]
It forms the main building in the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, and after refurbishment, re-opened in July 2022[2].
The original building was first constructed in 1907.[3] Construction was undertaken by Waugh and Josephson.[4] The factory also made milk, cottage cheese, and baker's cheese.[3] Until the late 1950s, the factory was operated as a co-operative. The factory was patronized by the Australian businessmen and politician William Stephens.
Original plans for a manufacturing plant in the area emerged in 1900.[5] The goal was to export products to Europe.[5] In 1906, a public meeting at Beenleigh Shire Hall saw around 50 dairy farmers gather. A ballot was held and a site near the railway with a good water supply was selected.[4] In 1911, a railway siding for the factory was built.[4] A modern brick building was built atop the old wooden structure in 1932.[4]
The weekly output of butter was between 40 and 50 tonnes by 1930.[4] Peak production was reached in 1934.[4] In July 1950, the Kingston Butter Factory registered as a wholesale milk vendor.[1]
The factory was closed in 1983. After funding by Logan City Council in 1998 it was transformed into a community arts centre.[3] It was formerly home to a theatre company.[6]
