John William Wilson

John William Wilson was an architect and builder in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. A number of his buildings are now heritage-listed.

Early life Wilson had been born in Banff, Scotland in 1829. He migrated to Victoria where he became foreman in the Works Department. In 1854 he was at Bakery Hill in Ballarat, where he took part in the Eureka stockade riots. Wilson also laid claim to the design of the Southern Cross flag that flew over the Eureka stockade.

After his arrival in Rockhampton in 1864, Wilson worked as builder and operated a cargo boat along the Fitzroy River between Yaamba and Rockhampton. In July 1872, Wilson found a large salt water crocodile known as Big Ben dying in Alligator Creek (it had been shot). Big Ben had originally inhabited the lower reaches of the Fitzroy River but had been frightened by the shipping in the river and had retreated to Alligator Creek. In October that year, Wilson displayed Big Ben and some other crocodiles in Rockhampton's Theatre Royal. Big Ben was long and an analysis of his stomach revealed human bones; local Aboriginal people had long believed Big Ben had eaten people and held a corroborree to celebrate his death.

Architecture in Rockhampton Wilson advertised as an architect from 1875. Wilson was responsible for the design of two hundred buildings in and around Rockhampton.

Significant works Significant works designed by Wilson include: 1876: Trustee Chambers (former residence of Dr Callaghan), Rockhampton 1890: Queensland National Hotel, Mount Morgan Rockhampton School of Arts Commercial Hotel and Chambers Cahill's Stores Harbour Board Leichhardt Hotel