Johan Meyer
Encyclopedia
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
immigrant to Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and a pioneer
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
of the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
region.
Johan Meyer acquired James Beattie's land at Narrowneck
Narrowneck, Queensland
Narrowneck is the name of a narrow bit of coastline that separates the anabranch of the Nerang River from the southern end of Main Beach and the northern end of Surfers Paradise beach.-Seawalls:...
, on the Gold Coast in 1877, initially developing a sugar plantation and sugar mill. Seeing the opportunity for business success in catering to the accommodation needs of the regular visitors to the beaches of the Gold Coast, he then started the private ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service, referred to as the Meyer's Ferry, and the Main Beach Hotel (located at Main Beach, Queensland
Main Beach, Queensland
Main Beach is a suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 Census, Main Beach had a population of 3,324....
). In 1888, Meyer's family operated a coach
Coach (carriage)
A coach was originally a large, usually closed, four-wheeled carriage with two or more horses harnessed as a team, controlled by a coachman and/or one or more postilions. It had doors in the sides, with generally a front and a back seat inside and, for the driver, a small, usually elevated seat in...
service from Southport
Southport, Queensland
-Sport:The Southport Sharks Australian rules football club has a presence in the area, including a club and function centre.-Transport:The Broadwaterway is a foreshoreway that encourages pedestrians and cyclists to travel along the Broadwater foreshores of Southport.A ferry terminal is planned for...
three times a week, that crossed the river at the ferry, taking passengers down to the main surf beach.
His Main Beach Hotel became a postal receiving office in 1889 which was officially called Elston (later renamed Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise, Queensland
Surfers Paradise is a suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 Census, Surfers Paradise had a population of 18,501....
). In 1893, the hotel burned down and was only partially covered by insurance. During the 1890s, Johan Meyer's business went into decline and he faced financial ruin.
Johann Meyer died at the Southport Railway Station on Friday 18 October 1901. After his death, services lapsed and the area began to decline until the arrival of James Cavill
James Cavill
James Freeman 'Jim' Cavill, a Brisbane hotelier, was one of the pioneers of the Gold Coast, Australia. His parents were Frederick Cavill , a champion swimmer, and Maria Rhodes a cousin of Cecil Rhodes....
in 1925.