PORT DOUGLAS LEGACY: Former student fondly recalls memories of the iconic ‘School House’

ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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The School House serves as a tribute to the region's rich history and pioneering spirits. Picture: Ray White Port Douglas

An iconic slice of Port Douglas history, The School House, has made its way to the real estate market with Ray White Port Douglas. Criss Mcalen, a Mowbray cane farmer, has deep roots in the Douglas Shire and fondly recalls his early school days spent within its walls.

Perched atop Flagstaff Hill, the historic residence serves as a tribute to the region's rich history and pioneering spirits.

Constructed in 1878, during the Gold Rush days along the Palmer and Hodgkinson Rivers, The School House originally functioned as the Port Douglas School, opening its doors to its inaugural students in 1879.

Douglas Shire local Criss Mcalen recalls school days within The School House. Picture: Ray White Port Douglas

Mr Mcalen was a student at the school from around 1957 until midway through Year 5, in 1962, when the school ceased operations.

During that period, the school hosted around 50 or 60 students, with Mr Mcalen’s class consisting of approximately 10 pupils. 

“In those days, we only had one teacher,” Mr Mcalen shared. “His name was Joe Horne, or maybe it was Bill Horn, but we all knew him as Joe.”

Reflecting on the past, he noted, “Things were simpler back then, but respect was a cover value. The teacher's authority was unquestionable and challenging teachers was unheard of, unlike today.

“The building still looks what it was back then. I haven't been inside, but the exterior still looks the same. There's a shed with a burnt look and a pyramid shape at the back. That shed used to be a lunch area and they even used to bake there. 

“The boys’ toilet was situated downhill behind Coconut Grove Motel, while the girls’ toilet was about halfway up the hill.”

He also recalls that  Flagstaff Hill lacked trees and was covered in speargrass, with only a handful of trees near The School House. “We'd create cubby houses with remnants of war trenches we found on the hill’s peak.”

Transformative evolution

Embodying early Queensland’s architectural essence, The School House has transformed over time. 

From being a pioneering accommodation haven, boasting luxury of a five-star standard, it transformed into an esteemed Art Gallery. 

Notably, it also hosted the renowned School House International Master Chef's Cooking School, which attracted gastronomes from around the world. A charming café once thrived within its walls, welcoming locals and visitors alike.

As The School House takes its place in the real estate market, it stands as an embodiment of history's rich tapestry, inviting a new chapter to be written within its enduring walls.

The residence showcases the distinctive architectural style that was characteristic of early Queensland. Picture: Ray White Port Douglas

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