 This may relate to the flood-prone nature of Saltwater Creek.The suburb's name is after the president of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, Thomas James Rothwell, who in 1921 proposed a memorial drive marked by an avenue of trees to Redcliffe via the upgraded main road known as Anzac Avenue).Rothwell died on 28 January 1928 and his involvement with the Avenue was honoured on Sunday 9 April 1933 with the unveiling of the Rothwell monument by the Queensland Governor, Sir Leslie Wilson.