[1] The National Hotel was constructed in Warwick in about 1907 for Daniel Allman to designs of James Marks and Son, architects of Toowoomba.

The development of the South-Western railway line from Toowoomba in 1867 and its extension through to Stanthorpe in 1881 when tin was discovered contributed to Warwick becoming a major service and trade centre on the Darling Downs.

[1] The property on which the National Hotel was built, situated diagonally opposite the Warwick railway station was acquired by Deed of Grant to William McGarry in June 1858.

In 1884 Bishop Edward Tufnell was paying rates for the property which was described as simply "fenced" and he continued this ownership until 1893, during which time the railway station was constructed opposite the hotel.

Jeremiah Allman arrived in the town in about 1870 aged 28, when he married the owner of the Sportsman's Arms Hotel, a Mrs Mary Dwan.

[1] Jeremiah Allman acquired the property on which was later built the National Hotel in Grafton Street in 1897, after the death of the previous owner, Bishop Edward Wyndham Tufnell in 1893.

In February of that year the younger Allman applied to the Warwick Licensing Court for hotel premises to be erected opposite the railway station gates, corner of Grafton and Lyon Streets.

[1] The hotel designed for Daniel Allman by Marks and Son and opened by early 1908 was a two storeyed masonry building, constructed by local contractor Daniel Connolly, who later joined in partnership with Conrad Dornbusch forming Dornbusch & Connolly, a prominent architectural firm of Warwick.

These were designed by Addison & Macdonald, an architectural partnership from Brisbane renowned for their work modernising many early hotels in south east Queensland during the inter-war period.

A small addition was added to the underside of the verandah to the north of the ground level, housing an ironing and linen room.

[1] The two-storeyed filigree verandah extends over the footpath to the south and part of the east side, then continues along the eastern and western facades.

To the street facades above the verandah is an articulated parapet with cornice, pedestals and urns, and at the centre of the eastern side the date of 1887.

[1] At ground level the street facades have plaster mouldings including window and door surrounds, and quoining to the corners.

Although substantially remodelled, the Public Bar retains its pressed metal ceiling with beam surrounds, cornices and roses.

[1] From both private entrances, generous corridors lead to a central arched vestibule which features moulded pilasters and archways with keystones.

Beside the Stair Hall is the Dining Room which also retains its pressed metal ceiling with cornices, borders, beam cladding and roses.

The rooms to the southern end have been divided off as the Manager's Residence, but generally retains its layout and pressed metal ceilings and cornices..

The National Hotel, a substantial masonry building, provides evidence of the growth of Warwick during the early years of this century.