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This two-storey building has dominated the River Street location since its construction in 1883. The Mackay Post Office and Telegraph Office was designed in the 1870s, but the first stage was not constructed until 1883 with the adjoining Telegraph Office constructed in 1884. The construction is only two years after the city’s oldest building: The Australian Joint Stock Bank at 63 Victoria Street, constructed in 1881. Thus, the construction of such prominent buildings, both designed by the Colonial Architect, F.D.G. Stanley, demonstrate the growth and importance of the Mackay region in the late 19th century. The government architect, F.D.G. Stanley, was responsible for the design and construction of Queensland post offices from 1872 – 1881, and George Connolly between 1881-1883 and 1885-1891. The place has a strong association with past and present residents of the Mackay region as the primary center for communication, by mail, telegraph, or telephone since 1874 when the site was a postmaster's residence and office. The new buildings were constructed in stages: the left (east) side of the tower is the original post office opening in 1883. The tower and the telegraph office were constructed in 1884. Originally the lower level was post and telegraph services, kitchen and servants while the upper level was the post and telegraph masters residences. The building meets this criterion as a substantial masonry building with remnant classical detailing typical of Government designed buildings of the period. It is a strong feature in the River Street streetscape and is significant as a landmark building in Mackay. Source: www.mackay.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/211347/...

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In 1893 the Great Flood of Brisbane left a path of destruction in its wake. The total rainfall in Brisbane over 8 days was about 20 inches (500 mm) and the Brisbane River rose 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 metres) above the mean spring tide and 10 feet over the previous highest flood mark (1890). Brisbane suffered approximately £2,000,000 worth of damages. The Victoria Bridge and the Indooroopilly Railway Bridge were swept away and in Queen Street, the businesses of Finney, Isles and Co, drapers, Perry Brothers, the goldsmiths, Hall Company, H. L. Davies, and Gordon and Gotch, all suffered major damage. Brisbane wasn't the only area hit. The countryside for miles on either side of the Mary River was devastated and the loss of settlers enormous. The Mayor of Brisbane composed the following cable for the Lord Mayor of London: "Brisbane, Maryborough, Gympie, Ipswich, Bundaberg and Rockhampton inundated by floods. Destruction of property and loss of life enormous. Relief urgently required. " Against the wishes of the Queensland public, this message was never sent. (Western Mail, 18 February 1893 p.40) Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/1893-brisbane-flood

Map shows the extent of the river’s penetration into the streets and blocks of the city, including the city centre where the waters were practically lapping at the Town Hall. Following a week of rain, including a fall of one hundred centimetres in just 24 hours, the Great Flood of 1893 cost 35 lives and swept away the Victoria Bridge. The flood recurred 3 times in two weeks in what came to be called Black February. Brisbane was a booming city of 140,000 citizens at this time. The loss of the Victoria Bridge, cutting the city’s lifeline between north and south, required a ferry service for several years while a replacement bridge was constructed. This map was published by the Irrigation & Water Supply Commission Queensland in 1928, as part of flood mitigation planning, and ongoing fact of life for the beautiful river city. Source: State Library of Queensland australia-prints.myshopify.com/products/greater-brisbane-...