It was commissioned and paid for by his widow, Pauline Carstens, and presented c. 1907–08 to Douglas Shire Council as a public memorial drinking fountain.
The work was carried out by the prominent Townsville-based monumental masonry firm of Melrose and Fenwick, who designed, constructed and supplied memorials and headstones throughout North Queensland in the first half of the 20th century.
Fellow councillors almost unanimously regarded Carstens as fair minded, energetic and having the best interests of the district at heart.
[1] In 1895, as Divisional Board Chairman, Carstens stridently advocated for the tramway, extracting a loan of £22,000 from a reluctant government.
The construction of a tramway between Mossman and Port Douglas serviced both communities, and allowed expansion of the district's agricultural and sugar industry.
Carstens was actively involved in other community organizations, and served as Chairman of the Port Douglas Hospital Committee in 1892–1893.
It was made of imported Italian Carrara marble, and featured carved lion heads on all four sides, two of which were drinking founts, and a life-size bust of her husband.
The structure was made in block sections with pipes inserted into the base and then shipped and reassembled in Port Douglas.
[1] In 1911, five years after Carstens' death, a cyclone crossed the coast causing extensive damage to the buildings of Port Douglas, including the top floor of the Exchange Hotel.
The late 20th century North Queensland tourism boom, however, sparked renewed interest in the conservation of the memorial.
It was decided that the water feature would not be restored to working order due to the difficulties of replacing or cleaning the internal piping without damaging the stone.
The monument originally incorporated a fountain with water flowing from the mouths of the lion head on the eastern and western sides.
[1] The FDA Carstens Memorial is important in illustrating the principal characteristics of its type: a decorative marble drinking fountain comprising a pedestal and shaft surmounted by a bust, with traditional lion head founts and relief work which includes traditional motifs such as laurel leaves, oak leaves, forget-me-nots and daisies but also incorporates an unusual tropical motif, the hibiscus flower.
When originally installed it was a prominent landmark in Port Douglas due to its location in the centre of the main street of the town, its height, and its stark white marble grandeur.
In 1999, conservation work was carried out to clean the marble and enhance the immediate area surrounding the memorial, indicating that the community still values the aesthetic appeal.
[1] The FDA Carstens Memorial is important in demonstrating the high quality of the work of North Queensland monumental masonry firm Melrose and Fenwick.
The decorative details on the memorial were likely executed by their artisan Harry Orton who was renowned for intricate relief work.
[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.