Mount Gravatt was noted by John Oxley in 1823 and named after Lieutenant George Gravatt who spent time in charge of the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement at Brisbane Town. In 1825 a penal settlement was established at Coopers Plains and from 1842 onwards, free settlers began grazing sheep and cattle on the surrounding fertile plains.
During the mid 1800's, the road past Mount Gravatt was the main overland route to the south, and what is now Kessels Road was used as a drover's track. Logan Road was used for dray and coach traffic. Schools opened at Coopers Plains in 1869 and Mount Gravatt is 1887.
The forest was first surveyed in 1873, and large portions were purchased by James Toohey by 1890. James Toohey was an Irishman who became wealthy in the California gold rush. James was determined to provide long term wealth and social position for his family. His holdings eventually stretched from Kangaroo Point to the Nathan area where the site was used for grazing cattle. Remnant fencing from this era is still visible along some of the walking tracks.
James Toohey's complicated will left land holdings, including Toohey Forest, to his sons. Although the family had assets, they had little income and land was progressively acquired by the Queensland Government through non-payment of taxes and as part of Brisbane City Council's green belt initiative.
Additional information on the Toohey family is available by consulting the Royal Historical Society of Queensland: https://www.textqueensland.com.au/item/article/ebcccfde57d6b0ab8a2e0964cfa18121
Brisbane's first mayor, William Jolly, acknowledged the need for 'breathing spaces for the city' and acquired green spaces such as Mount Gravatt and Mt Coot-tha. The 1944 'Green Belt Proposal', as part of a post war redevelopment, sought to establish a green area surrounding the city. Brisbane City Council already owned the site of Griffith University, and purchased surrounding land portions including Toohey Mountain and Toohey Forest Park.
Construction of the first Griffith University buildings began in 1973. The first students commenced in 1975, and Griffith University has continued to grow to become Australia's ninth largest higher education provider. It now offers more than 300 degrees to in excess of 43,000 students from 131 countries.
Acknowledgement: Metcalf, W. (1991). James Toohey: Brisbane Pioneer or First of the White Shoe Brigade Brisbane: Royal Historical Society of Queensland, pp. 364-378.