It was established in March 1872 by a group of prominent Queensland squatters, politicians, lawyers, and businessmen who wished to secure development capital free from overseas or inter-colonial control.

The town prospered as a port and as a commercial and administrative centre, drawing business from nearby pastoral holdings and the sugar plantations being developed along the river.

Local Member and Premier of Queensland, William Forgan Smith, supported the growth of the region and important improvements were made to the infrastructure of the town and harbour.

[1] The building deteriorated as several proposals for re-use fell through, then in 1992 it was renovated and adapted in 1992 as commercial premises occupied by Metway Bank and other tentants.

A single storey section was added to the front and side of the bank residence as part of the conversion to a Hog's Breath Cafe.

[2][3][4] The bank on the corner of Victoria and Woods Streets is of dark face brick with rendered elements and is highly decorated.

Four giant order columns with Corinthian capitals dominate the front; the central two are freestanding and frame the entry; the others are engaged to brick pillars.

[1] On each side of the corner section, a colonnade runs along the street elevation with a narrow arcade behind this, with a matching verandah on the first floor level.

[1] The former bank residence is a two-storey building of rendered masonry with a relatively small rectangular plan area.

The windows are simple rectangles and the hipped roof is clad with corrugated iron and has shallow eaves lined with battens.

[1] The space between the building and the boundary wall at both the front and sides has been filled with the corrugated iron roof of the new cafe extension.

The quality of its design and construction also demonstrate the importance of this regional branch at a time when Mackay was the fastest growing town in Queensland.

[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.