Information

In the 1920s, almost every suburb had its combined Hall/Picture Theatre, which was the centre of social activity. The original Darra Hall was built for Len Bridgewater Snr next to his shop on Railway Parade. It opened with a ‘plain and fancy dress ball’ on 10 December 1927, attended by 220 people. The hall could hold up to 300 people, and often did. Bridgewater ran Threepenny dances, and showed silent films with pianola accompaniment. It was known at various times as ‘Bridgewater’s Picture Theatre’ and ‘Bridgewater’s Hall’. He eventually sold it to Mr Spinnace, who ran dances during World War II. The Glen Picture Theatre was built around the hall in 1958, and this was demolished in the 1970s.

Citations

Brisbane Courier, 12 December 1927; Vicki Mynott, Darra by Decade 1820-2010, Inala Heights: Richlands, Inala & Suburbs History Group Inc., 2010.

Image Citations

Maypole celebrations, Darra. Undated. The community hall can be seen in the right of this photo. Image: June Piercy (nee Bridgwater).

Map References

SLQ. Mathews, E. J. Maps of Brisbane and Suburbs E.J. Mathews, Staff Surveyor. Brisbane: Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, 1917. ATLASL 628.2 1917