Drayton evolved from a stopping place for those reaching the top of the Range, although by 1848 water shortages prompted moves to The Swamp, which was renamed Toowoomba in 1858.

[2] They established a produce and grocery store in Russell Street, near the Dominion Flour Mill which was managed by George Crisp.

They decided to finance a new flour mill in Toowoomba and entered into an equal partnership with Crisp, who became the manager and miller.

Designed by Toowoomba architect William Hodgen and built by WT Smith, it comprised a four storeyed brick building which was reportedly substantially damaged by fire less than two years later.

New grain sheds equipped with handling machinery and a storage capacity of 28,000 bags were constructed to the north of the mill building in 1914.

[1] Crisp's involvement in Defiance ended following the First World War when he sold his share to Ellen prior to retiring to Tasmania with his wife and daughter.

The business continued to prosper and remained a family-owned business until 1955 when the Defiance Milling Company Pty Ltd was formed with Thomas Patrick as Governing Director, sister Ellen McCafferty and brother EF O'Brien as Directors, and brother PW O'Brien as Manager.

[1] The 1960s saw much change and development in the flour milling business, largely due to the establishment of English-based company, George Weston Foods in Australia.

In the late 1960s, Defiance constructed a mill at Rockhampton to protect their North Queensland business from other millers who were developing into the region.

The site forms an integral part of the industrial streetscape of the northern end of Ruthven Street and has landmark qualities from both the western and eastern sides.

Each storey has a pair of timber double hung windows with painted concrete lintels which run the width of each bay.

Timber framed double hung windows with shallow brick arches are located within each bay on each level.

Most internal areas in the office buildings have undergone major alterations, with little evidence of original fabric surviving.

They are constructed of a combination of metal and timber frames, with corrugated iron cladding to the rear and side elevations and saw-tooth roofs.

[1] The Ruthven Street site has undergone expansion and development reflecting the evolution of flour milling technology.

[1] Established over 100 years ago in Toowoomba, the Defiance Flour Mill has strong associations for past and present employees, and for the local community.

Family owned and run for nearly a century and four generations, Defiance Flour became a business with national and international standing, underpinned by innovation, customer care and a loyal workforce.