A pre-emptive portion of the land was surveyed in 1857 under an application by Mort and Laidley, and surveyed again in 1859. Laidley Town Reserve was proclaimed on 22nd August 1862.

In 1863 the first bridge was built across the Lockyer Creek, enabling the area to be opened up to settlement, by both squatters and legitimate landholders.The first school in the district opened on February 1 1864.

By this time, the Laidley township was becoming firmly established, helped along by the new railway line, which opened in 1866. The first businesses in the new town were the Railway Hotel, a general store and a butcher shop; followed by Mann's Baker Shop (1883),Wyman's Store (1884) and Dunn's Shoe Store (1898). The majority of these early buildings are still standing and in use today. The architecture in the main street of Laidley town bears witness to these early pioneers and their vision.

In 1891, Laidley's population was 391, and in addition to the agriculture, industry was beginning to develop with the formation of a brickworks and also a bacon factory. The township also boasted its own newspaper, which was printed each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Politically, Laidley was part of the neighbouring Tarampa Shire; and on May 9th 1887, a petition with 84 signatures went to the Governor, demanding a division of their own. In all, three petitions went before the Governor before the Division of Laidley was proclaimed in April 1888. The Tarampa Shire still held control over the northern part of the township, and differences over health issues forced the Local Government Minister of the day to proclaim a Burrough of Laidley in 1902. With the new Local Government Act, the first Council was elected the same year.

On December 22nd 1902 under the new Local Authorities Act of the same year, the Division of Laidley became the Shire of Laidley, and the Burrough of Laidley became the Town of Laidley. (The latter was abolished by Council in 1917 and included in the Shire of Laidley).

By 1904 the population was 800 and growing.The Australian Handbook of that year gives this information:
"there is now also an Empire Hotel and a Central Hall. Tradesmen include two painters, two plumbers, nineteen storekeepers, two watchmakers, two cabinetmakers, two saddlers, four blacksmiths, three butchers, two ironmongers, two chemists, two bakers, two dentists, two tailors, two bootmakers, two stationers and five auctioneers. The School of Arts library has 1 400 volumes. There are Lodges of the Masons, Hibernians, Oddfellows and Foresters. Two doctors and two solicitors are in practice in the town. There is now a Farmers Union. Industries now include a sawmill and timberyard".

Laidley ran the first district show in 1891, alternating with the neighbouring town of Gatton until 1922 when Laidley formed its own Show Society.This year (1998), the Laidley Agricultural Show will be held in July.

The electric power line was constructed up the valley in 1938. This amenity, coupled with advances in motor transport and irrigation farm machinery, streamlined the efficiency of the agricultural operations and assured the prosperity of this rich and fertile valley.

Today, Laidley retains a lot of its early history. Visitors can enjoy old-fashioned Australian hospitality and become involved with the heritage and pride of the Laidley Valley.

Detailed information, including a Calendar of Events is available from the Tourism and Arts Coordinator, Lorraine Walker.