In 1850 Surveyor, Hugh Roland Labatt arrived in Maryborough with instructions to "examine the River Mary...to suggest ...the best site or sites for the laying out of the town, having regard to the convenience of shipping on one hand and internal communication on the other...also...point out the spots desirable as reserves for public building, church, quay and for places for public recreation."
[1] With the separation of Queensland from the colony of New South Wales in 1859, Maryborough was declared a Port of Entry and a sub collector was appointed.
Taxation on goods entering and leaving the colony was an important source of revenue for the newly established Queensland Government and, accordingly, customs services were highly regarded and respected.
The contract was let in 1864 to a William Hope and a simple rectangular single storeyed brick building was constructed to the south east of the first Customs House.
The design of this section of the current Bond Store has been attributed to Queensland's first Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin.
The principal facade of the building, off Wharf Street, is dominated by the two entrances, which are separated and also flanked by segmental arched window openings.
The other room, on the south eastern side of the building, has ceilings open to the various sections of roof framing, a timber boarded floor and painted and bagged brickwork walls.
In the eastern corner of the former bond store is a straight open tread timber stair leading downwards to the basement level.
Access is also provided to this lower level from Macalister Street through large double timber boarded and braced doors.
This level has unpainted rubble stone walls forming several smaller spaces, with large arched openings connecting them.
The former Government Bond Store in Maryborough is evidence of the early history of the town as an important Queensland port.
[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.