Maryborough's Oldest Working Shop

The history of 134 Wharf Street, Maryborough

I am fortunate to practice law out of Maryborough’s oldest working shop, since 1869. The shop was originally owned by Henry Palmer and the first known tenant was a Maryborough Tailor named Martin Braun who had moved in by September 1869.

A black and white history portrait of Henry Palmer of Maryborough Queensland who was the original owner of the John Willett Lawyers building at 134 Wharf Street Maryborough Qld — Henry Palmer - Maryborough

The building has been owned and occupied by a range of Maryborough people/businesses over the last 154 years. Bakers, accountants, commission agents, an architect, solicitors, lawyers, a photographer and dressmakers have all operated out of Henry Palmer’s old Maryborough shop.

The building itself is located at 134 Wharf Street, Maryborough which is almost directly opposite the rear entrance to the Maryborough Courthouse.

This building like many others in Maryborough was entered into the Queensland Heritage register on 21 October 1992. The building has aesthetic value and is nestled in a streetscape which comprises of a number of other 19th century buildings within the Maryborough Heritage precinct. It reflects early development within the Wharf Street area and has been identified as one of the earliest surviving shops in the Maryborough Portside precinct.