The terrain in the area is rugged. Lower areas along the creeks have been farmed while the steep and elevated parts remain vegetated. Silky Oak Creek joins Ma Ma Creek, a tributary of Lockyer Creek at Fordsdale. Dwyers Scrub Regional Park has been established in the west.
Fordsdale School of Arts was officially opened on 27 May 1932 by Councillor Byrne, chairman of the Tarampa Shire Council.[8][9]
In 1933, the school closed again. It reopened in 1937 with Miss E. G. M. Allen as head teacher with classes being held in the School of Arts as it was thought to be a more central location. As attendance at the new location was successfully maintained, it was decided to build a new school building on a site near the hall donated by Mr W. Bynon.[10] The new school was officially opened on Saturday 3 June 1939 by the Leader of the Opposition, Ted Maher.[11][12] The school closed in 1967.[5] It was at approx 2085 Gatton Clifton Road (27°43′12″S152°07′16″E / 27.7199°S 152.1211°E / -27.7199; 152.1211 (Fordsdale State School (former))).[13][7]
Demographics
At the 2011 census, Fordsdale and surrounds recorded a population 211.[14]
In the 2016 census, Fordsdale had a population of 52 people.[15]
In the 2021 census, Fordsdale had a population of 50 people.[1]
^"MA MA CREEK". The Brisbane Courier. No. 23, 197. Queensland, Australia. 4 June 1932. p. 16. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"FORDSDALE". Queensland Times. Vol. LXXII, no. 14, 423. Queensland, Australia. 8 June 1932. p. 12 (DAILY). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"FORDSDALE". Queensland Times. Vol. LXXIX, no. 16, 350. Queensland, Australia. 19 April 1939. p. 5 (DAILY.). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"NEW SCHOOL". Queensland Times. Vol. LXXIX, no. 16, 391. Queensland, Australia. 6 June 1939. p. 6 (DAILY.). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.