Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora.

[2] It is unclear how long the ‘Whalers Arms’ continued to trade as a public house as there were gaps in the licensing magistrates’ records.

[2] From 1890 there was quite a rapid turnover of shopkeepers but then the occupancies grew longer: the bubonic plague scare, the advent of the Sydney Harbour Trust in 1901, and the reconstruction of the Walsh Bay wharves brought massive changes to the area.

Socially, the local population changed substantially, from the family unit to the occupiers of the numerous boarding houses in the area.

[2] Following the decision to retain the Rocks and Millers Point for its cultural significance the building passed into the ownership of the State Government and eventually to the NSW Land and Housing Corporation.

In the last decade of the 20th century the building ceased to be occupied and was subject to vandalism and the ravages of a severe white ant infestation.

[2] 79 Lower Fort Street is a sandstone two-storey corner building with attic variously described as being in the early Victorian Regency or Old Colonial Georgian styles.

[1] This two storey early nineteenth century sandstone corner building was formerly a hotel, and is an important streetscape element.

[1] 79 Lower Fort Street was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

A purpose-built corner public house, one of the many hotels that were so much a part of life at Millers Point in the early 19th century, particularly along Windmill Street.

Built for William Hutchinson, emancipist, principal superintendent of convicts, land owner, pastoralist and businessman An important community amenity.

Having the potential to contribute to an understanding of several phases of the development of Miller's Point[1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

Most important corner element, related to the Hero of Waterloo hotel opposite at the key intersection of Windmill and Lower Fort Streets.