Tucked away in a street off the main road through Mareeba, a historical marker sits in commemoration of John Atherton.
The large stone marker has a marble plaque highlighting some of his achievements as a pioneer of the Atherton Tablelands.
Born in England 9th August 1837, John Atherton arrived in Sydney at the age of 7, growing up near Armidale in New South Wales.
At the age of 20, he ventured north to Rockhampton with his brother James. John later brought his father where they too settled in areas near Rockhampton.
John Atherton opened up the road to Yeppoon and further north to Mackay. His northernly progress continued to Basalt Downs (west of Townsville), then Emerald End Station on the banks of the Barron River in 1876.
It is here where Mareeba was established, the first house in Mareeba was erected near the monument in 1880. John stayed in the Mareeba area for 37 years.
John died on 16th May 1913, aged 75. He is not buried in the Pioneer Cemetery 
, instead, buried in the family cemetery at Emerald End, Mareeba.
Localities around the Atherton Tablelands have association with John, in addition to the tablelands and the town of Atherton. He named Tinaroo after discovering tin in the locality, having already discovered tin at Herberton. He is also acknowledged as the founder of Mareeba.
