GATTON Gatton is a rapidly growing centre just shy of midway between Toowoomba and Ipswich and the greater Brisbane region. Gatton is also the centre of the Brisbane food bowl region. The soils around Gatton are rich and produce vast quantities of agricultural products. Gatton is now a by-pass town, but that said a look at the old hotel and refreshment should be considered. The Gatton area was explored by Major Edmund Lockyer in 1825. A settlement known as Gatton was gazetted in 1855. As part of the "Salad Bowl" of the Lockyer Valley, the area is primarily agricultural, with vegetables making up the majority of crops. Fruit was grown extensively in the Shire until the 1990s, when economic conditions changed and many of the orchards were removed. There is also significant beef and dairy cattle farming, (Stanbroke Beef operates it's abattoir at nearby Grantham) along with a growing equine industry, and the town is also a noted producer of fodder crops, particularly prime lucerne hay. The Lights on the Hill Truck and Coach Drivers' Memorial is located at Lake Apex Park on the outskirts of Gatton. (Not shown) The congregational churches within Gatton are now all mid 1900’s and modern.The Catholic bold and the United being the most traditional. The Gatton War Memorial is a classic WW1/ Boar War Memorial. This cenotaph has continued to service Gatton to this day. Gatton has three pubs. All traditional old Qld classics. The Royal Hotel having historical qualities. There are very few heritage buildings, save the pubs and exceptions within Gatton. Heritage diary