During the early history of Shorncliffe and its neighbouring bayside suburb Sandgate, both were beachside suburbs visited by Brisbane residents for day trips and holidays. In 1865, a company was formed to construct the pier aiming to increase connections between Brisbane and Sandgate. Lobbying efforts to persuade the Queensland Government to build a pier failed. William Deagon, a local hotel proprietor choose to build a jetty opposite his hotel in 1879. It was smaller than the current pier but still had a tram track.