Community & Business
22 January, 2022
Name change for Jaggan road
JOHNSON Road at Jaggan will now be known as Johnston Road after Tablelands Regional Council moved to correct an historical anomaly.
Council made the decision to revert the name of the road back to what it was originally intended to be – to recognise a pioneer family who moved to the area in 1923.
On behalf of the family, Mitchell Johnston sought council approval to amend the road name. He said the road was originally named “Johnston” but over time it has been amended to “Johnstone” and later “Johnson”.
Mr Johnston provided background of his family’s history in the area, noting that his great-grandfather David had initially purchased property on Hillcrest Road, then more land was purchased by him and his three sons with a boundary of Johnston Road which linked their farms.
“The name of the road that connects from Bauld Road to Hillcrest Road was always named Johnston Road with that spelling,” research documentation from the Eacham Historical Society accompanying the council report said.
“In recent years, for whatever reason, it appears a mistake has been made with the spelling. Both David Johnston and his son Eric served long terms on the Eacham Shire Council so they would have made sure it was spelt correctly.”
Mr Johnston said over time it has been amended to “Johnstone” and later “Johnson”. Council agreed to change the road’s name back to the original spelling of Johnston.
