In August 1895, tenders were called for the erection of a provisional school at Grantham Scrub.[5] In January 1896 teacher, Catherine M. Ludeman was appointed to the Grantham Scrub Provisional School, suggesting it opened around that time.[6][7] On 1 January 1909, it became Grantham Scrub State School. It closed circa 1950.[8] It was located at 119 Missouri Road (corner of Grantham Scrub Road, 27°35′36″S152°11′06″E / 27.59327°S 152.18507°E / -27.59327; 152.18507 (Grantham Scrub State School (former))) within the present-day locality of neighbouring Veradilla.[9][10]
Grantham Provisional School opened on 23 January 1905. On 1 January 1909 it became Grantham State School.[8]
A butter factory was established in 1907. The building was replaced in 1926 by a brick building which operated until 1971.[4]
Grantham Post Office opened on 1 January 1890 (a receiving office had been open from 1876).[11]
On 10 January 2011, Grantham was severely damaged in a huge flash flood. 12 people died and a large number of houses and other buildings were destroyed.[12] Following the floods, Grantham received visits by politicians including Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on numerous occasions. Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce also visited the town.[13] In May 2011, it was announced that the town would be moved to higher ground to prevent future damaging floods.[14] A 935-acre site was purchased so that landholders could be provided a voluntary swap of equivalent-sized blocks. The new site is situated on a hill overlooking Grantham and has permission from the state government to bypass the normal development approval process.[15] Residents of nearby Murphys Creek, Postmans Ridge, Withcott and Helidon have been included in the fast-tracked plan. As of March 2022, 110 houses are on the hill but over 50 dwellings remain in the older part of town.[16]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, the locality of Grantham had a population of 634 people. 81.1% of people were born in Australia and 90.9% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 24.3%, Catholic 17.8% and Anglican 15.5%.[17]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Grantham had a population of 796 people.[1]