Sandy Creek (26°40′15″S152°00′14″E / 26.670760°S 152.003907°E / -26.670760; 152.003907) meanders through the town. The locality is part of the Burnett River catchment.[6] The productive lands of the catchment feature sedimentary floodplains. The rich fertile soils of the floodplains are the agricultural and resource backbone of the region. While there are benefits of the flooding there are also risks including the loss of vegetation in riparian zones, biosecurity issues and spread of weed species.
The area around Nanango was first settled by Europeans in 1847 by John Borthwick and William Oliver from Ipswich taking up pastures for sheep farming.[citation needed]
The first commercial establishment at the present site of Nanango township was Goode's Inn, founded by prospector Jacob Goode in July 1848.[8] The inn served travellers journeying from Brisbane and Limestone (now known as Ipswich) and became the meeting place for early residents of Taromeo, Tarong and Nanango stations. The town of Nanango quickly developed around it. Goode's original rough slab structure met the licensing conditions as his first licence for the "Burnett Hotel situated at Barambah Creek" was given at a special licensing meeting on 26 April 1849.
Nanango claims to be the fourth oldest town in Queensland, but such claims depend on how the age of the town is determined. In some cases, this is by the first settlement (usually for pastoral purposes in or near the eventual town) or it might be date of survey for a town plan. Nanango's claim to be fourth oldest is based on the first establishment of commercial premises (e.g. store or hotel), which is Goode's Inn in 1848. On this basis, it is the fourth following Ipswich (then called Limestone), Drayton, and Maryborough. However, Nanango was not surveyed for a town until 1861, and several other towns were surveyed before that.[8]
Goode's Inn Post Office opened on 5 January 1852. It was renamed Burnett Inn by 1855 and Nanango on 1 July 1859.[9]
The name Nanango has evolved from the Wakka Wakka word "Nunangi". There is dispute over the origins of the name Nanango- the word means "large watering hole" or was also the name of a local Aboriginal elder at the time of settlement.[citation needed]
Nanango State School opened on 1 January 1866. In January 1955, it was expanded to have a secondary school department, an arrangement that continued until Nanango State High School opened on 25 January 1982.[10]
Beef, dairy and timber (in particular the valuable red cedar) were the primary early industries in the area. The discovery of gold at the Seven Mile Diggings near Nanango in 1867 precipitated a gold rush, and consequently a local population boom, however the gold deposits were found to be meagre. At one time the population included 700 miners, many of whom were Chinese.[citation needed]
Land in Nanango was open for selection on 17 April 1877; 48 square miles (120 km2) were available.[11]
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School was established on 28 April 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy.[10][15]
In February 1913, 1222 acres in areas of 63 to 122 acres of Nanango Station were advertised to be auctioned by Jno Darley and W. Hamilton on behalf of Mr Jas Millis. A map advertising the auction states the Estate was situated 3 to 5 miles from Nanango where there is "an up to date butter factory and public offices". The land is described as mainly creek flats fronting Barker's Creek, rich alluvial and black soil suited to growing lucerne, potatoes, wheat, oats and maize. Some blocks also have access to Meandu Creek as a permanent source for water.[16][17]
After World War I, however, growth levelled off until the early 1970s when the development of the Tarong Power Station led to a third population explosion.[citation needed]
In April 1921, two subdivisions at Nanango and Tarong Estate and Township were advertised for auction by John Darley and Isles, Love and Co. The Tarong Estate, twelve miles from Nanango and Tarong Railway Station offered 25 agricultural farms and 62 town allotments while the Grange Estate, eleven miles from Nanango and 18 miles from Kingaroy in the Parish of Booie offered 15 dairy farms.[29][30]
Nanango State High School opened on 25 January 1982, having previously been a secondary department attached to Nanango State School.[10]
41 Albert Street: Ringsfield House, a grand country residence and gardens. built by Robin Dods for Mrs Florence Graham in 1908
Economy
Nanango's principal industries are power generation and coal mining, agriculture, beef and pork production, dairying and milk processing, timber growing and milling, small crops, natural medicine, art and craftwork and tourism. [citation needed]
Nanango also has a vigorous cultural and sporting life and is host to several potteries, Art Gallery and many craft outlets. The town also has many clubs and a range of sporting facilities including an RSL, bike, darts, golf, lawn bowling and archery clubs. There are 13 well-maintained parklands in the Shire which naturalists believe are home to 250 different bird species.[citation needed]
Unfortunately a number of fires throughout history have ravaged the CBD of the town, especially the fire of 1940 which destroyed all of the shops on the southern side of Drayton Street from Fitzroy to Henry Street. This has led the CBD to have a "1950s feel" due to the architecture of the time.[citation needed]
Nanango serves as a gateway for exploration of nearby towns. Day trips from the town include the Grapes and Gourmets Drive,[57]Bunya Mountains, Coomba Falls and fossicking at Seven Mile Diggings.
The Nanango Country Markets are featured on the 1st Saturday of every month and are widely recognised as the largest rural markets in SE Queensland.[58]
Events
Nanango has a number of live entertainment venues which regularly host performances by local theatre and musical groups. The Lee Park race track – not far south of the CBD – hosts around 8 meetings each year.[citation needed]
Major annual events include the international Criterium Bike Race (held in Nanango's CBD in February); the Nanango Show (held at the Nanango Showgrounds in April); Nanango Medieval Fest (fourth Saturday in August); Nanango Arts Fest (held over a week in October); the Nanango Country Music Muster (held at the Showgrounds in September); the week-long Mardi Gras (in October), and the Christmas Carnival (in December).[citation needed]
Climate
The area has a similar climate to nearby Kingaroy, however it is described as cooler in winter and more humid.[citation needed]
^"Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. No. 17, 184. Queensland, Australia. 8 February 1913. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Social Gossip". The Queenslander. 14 February 1920. p. 9. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
^"1936 Nanango". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
^"CHURCH ACTIVITY". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 8 February 1936. p. 7. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"What the Churches". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 7 March 1936. p. 19. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^ ab"About Us". Nanango Community Baptist Church. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
^"Classified Advertising". The Queenslander. No. 2848. Queensland, Australia. 2 April 1921. p. 13. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2019 – via National Library of Australia.