Taylor planted and tended a fine stand of trees flanking the long carriageway, which, it has been suggested, have been preserved in parkland across from the homestead, though this has yet to be determined.

He and his son Harry Marks with whom he entered into partnership in 1892 came to dominate the architectural profession in the Darling Downs for more than half a century.

James and Harry Marks have left a significant visible legacy in the buildings of Toowoomba of which Smithfield House is an important example.

Between 1962-1966 the property was leased by the Minter family from the Church of England[1] In 1966 it was sold for sub-division and during this time suffered a period of decay and attacks by vandals before restoration in the 1970s.

In 1978 it was sold to Kelvin and Thelma Roche, who continued to operate Smithfield Homestead as a restaurant from 1975 until it was leased to Paul Hughes and Brian Pozzey in the early 1980s.

[3] Smithfield House is located on the corner of Panda and Cheviot Streets, Toowoomba sited on a flat parcel of land.

The external walls are distinguished by bluestone blocks with rusticated sandstone quoins to door and window openings.

The core of the building has a complex roof structure of corrugated iron with four prominent decorated sandstone chimneys.

[1] Verandahs surround the north, east and west elevations of the house and are 3.6 metres (12 ft) deep and constructed of crows ash timber.

[1] The front entrance leads into a wide hallway which runs the length the original house and is flanked on either side by symmetrically placed rooms.

[1] Internally the walls are finished in plaster and feature high-quality timber joinery, while the floors are of wide hardwood boards.

The original rear external bluestone wall now sits internally and marks the commencement of the addition from inside the house.

Internally the addition is characterised by plasterboard cladding and includes a spacious dining and entertaining area, kitchen, bathrooms and laundry.

Smithfield House is reflective of the pattern of affluent settlement which occurred in Toowoomba in the late 19th century, demonstrating the transition of the Darling Downs from a sparsely populated rural district to one of prosperity and prominence.

[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.