Prior to the settlement at Ipswich, lime for building purposes in Brisbane had been obtained by burning sea-shells.

It was in 1827 that Captain Patrick Logan discovered limestone deposits on the banks of the Bremer River:[1]In the general course of last year Captain Logan, in tracing the Bremer (of the late Mr. Oxley, who merely passed its mouth in 1824) from its junction with the Brisbane, discovered at ten miles through its many windings from that point, the calcareous hummocks on its right bank, now named the "Limestone Hills".

[3][1] William Hancock migrated from England in 1856 and worked for a short time in Brisbane prior to moving to Ipswich where he lived until his death on 23 August 1892.

Hancock was well known in Ipswich as a "builder in brick" and building contractor and was involved in the construction of a number of buildings including, additions to Rockton Villa, Colinton Station, Booval House, the foundations of the first railway workshop, the Lands Office and the Wesleyan Parsonage as well as laying pipes for the waterworks in 1877.

[1] The kiln remains were buried by road widening activities for Brisbane Street but were recovered in 1961 by excavations undertaken by the Limestone District Scout Group.

Brickwork was mentioned in a newspaper report of the Scouts' excavation but is not exposed although brick fragments have been observed towards the outer side of the structure.

[1] The kiln lies at the base of the eastern of two north-northwest / south-southeast spine ridges of Tertiary silicified magnesian limestone.

The lime-burning industry was the first established in the Ipswich area and the discovery of lime was the reason for the original settlement.

[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.