This important part of local and Queensland history is now owned by the National Trust.
On the river at Wacol, hay- way between Ipswich and Brisbane, it was established in 1852 by Dr Stephen Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Moreton Bay colony.
During WW 11, part of the property was taken to build Camp Columbia for the American Army. Jim Grindle’s house at Wacol Station was also commandeered by the US – and he moved back to Wolston House.
The American motor pool and ammo dump were visible from he homestead. Troop manoeuvres damaged the property and allowed stock to escape'(the Grindles ran a huge prize dairy herd that supplied much of Brisbane). And a trainee pilot from Archerfield crashed on the property and was killed.
The Grindles entertained American officers, and Jem Grinclle (19) had an American boyfriend. After a riding accident in 1943, she was rushed to the American hospital nearby. But she died the next day – the second heir to Wolston House to end a dynasty with a fall from a horse.
Sharp Ian, (1998) -The Wolston Story National Trust Queensland
