[1] James Young, a bricklayer by trade who reputedly worked as a foreman for John Petrie, acquired 6 acres (2.4 ha) 2 roods (22,000 sq ft; 2,000 m2) of land at Milton, adjoining what later became Bishopsbourne, by deed of grant dated 22 August 1859.

[1] By the early 1870s, Young was renting the house to John Guthrie, a solicitor credited with naming the property "Lucerne", after the lake and town in Switzerland.

On the western or opposite side of the property was Red Jacket Swamp, now the sports ground and park for Milton State School.

By 1877 the house comprised drawing, dining and sitting rooms on the ground floor, an attic space divided into four bedrooms, a bathroom and detached kitchen-house with servant's quarters, along with various outbuildings.

Alexander Duncan Campbell purchased the residence on 2 acres (0.81 ha) 3 roods (33,000 sq ft; 3,000 m2) 33.8 perches (850 m2) early in 1879, and by mid-1883 Lucerne was in the possession of Agnes wife of John Scott MLA (1883-98).

[1] Today, "Lucerne" comprises four buildings, used to provide bed and breakfast accommodation, within half an acre of land dominated by a large Port Jackson fig tree.

An attic dormer window overlooks a simple timber posted front verandah, from which the original cross-braced balustrading has been removed.

Details such as the scalloped bargeboards, interior cedar staircase and joinery, and casement fanlights, are obvious aesthetic features.

In a history spanning approximately one hundred and thirty years, Lucerne, which began as a craftsman's dwelling, became home to a number of notable Queensland families.