Town and District
The small town serves as a centre for a rich farming area, including an ostrich farm. Nearby attractions include Lake Somerset and Lake Wivenhoe, both lakes created by dams, and Ravensbourne and Crows Nest National Parks.
The historic Bellevue Homestead and Caboonbah Homestead (destroyed by fire on 10 May 2009) are located in the area. Also close by are the peaks Glen Rock and Mount Esk.
The land around Esk was first explored by Captain Patrick Logan in 1830. The town was established to service the short-lived copper mines of Eskdale and Cressbrook Creek. Settlers moved into the region during the 1840s. In 1886, the Brisbane Valley railway line reached Esk from Lowood. Several sawmills were built and in 1904 a butter factory opened. The timber industry declined in the 1920s and dairying slowed from the 1960s onwards, which has eventually led to the decline of the town's importance as a major rural centre.
The comedy trio The Kransky Sisters claim to be from Esk, Queensland before every show.
Read more about this topic: Esk, Queensland
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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—Rebecca West (1892–1983)