Key events during 1914 in Stanthorpe included Stanthorpe Shire Council moving into the new Shire Hall on 17 June and the Main Street fire that happened on 26 February.
Month by month break-down
• 9 January: Several people were victimised by a person claiming to be purchasing an orchard, who left town after passing fraudulent cheques at local businesses.
Fruit fly-infected fruit causes losses to farmers living by the line.
• 4 February: Subdivision sales at Passmore’s Railway Estate, O’Mara Estate.
• 27 February: Editorial from the Border Post – Council elections/Carnarvon Bridge
“First of public importance is the condition of the Carnarvon Bridge. The dangerous state of the Carnarvon Bridge has moved the Council in its own interest to close the bridge to all traffic, but what has been done in the way of providing a new bridge or repairing the old one? Absolutely nothing. There is also the sanitary question, which must be faced in good time.”
• 13 March: The new Shire Hall soon to be handed over by the contractor (T.C. Fittons); white picket fence on the street, three seats under the posts outside.
New buildings: Mr M.J. O’Mara’s Hotel on the site of the old one is making good progress.
Mr C.F. White is showing his confidence by preparing for the erection of a fine brick for building on two storeys on his property in High Street opposite Sheahan’s Hotel.
‘The Hub of Stanthorpe’: Passers-by at the Post Office last Wednesday 11 am noticed an assemblage of motor cars and other vehicles which was apparently not quite accidental.
On inquiry, it was found that the photographer was about and that a picture was being taken of the town centre with some not undistinguished citizens in attendance.
• 29 May: New Shire Hall completed – “a convenient and commodious building for the transaction of Council affairs and an ornament to the town.”
It was 16 feet high from the floor to the ceiling, with pressed metal ceilings.
• 3 July: Disastrous Fire, Stanthorpe Chief Business Burned to the Ground.
• 21 August: Meeting to establish a patriotic fund, town lights in the main street only (except Saturdays) due to the scarcity of carbide.
• 16 October: Tin unsaleable, dredge had not been able to pay wages and had shut down.
