In 1889, he submitted an entry into a competition for a new Head Fire Station on the corner of Ann and Edward Streets in Brisbane.
Having won the competition, he left the Queensland Public Service and started his own private practice.
[7] Henry Wallace Atkinson died at his home in Cavendish Road, Coorparoo, Brisbane on 26 April 1938.
[2][8] In 2015, the practice founded by Henry Atkinson is known as Conrad Gargett and celebrated its 125-year anniversary.
[5] The University of Queensland Library holds many architectural drawings by Atkinson and his practice.