Convicts & Colonials: Commercial Architecture

George Thorn ran an accommodation house which was described in a newspaper article by "Redgum" that included a recollection of a flood at Ipswich as experienced by David Forbes. After arriving in Brisbane from Sydney, David Forbes travelled from Brisbane to the Darling Downs in 1845 with a number of squatters who were returning to their stations. They stopped at Dr. Simpson's before travelling on to Ipswich where they stayed overnight at Thorn's room:

The room in which we slept was like a barrack room, slab sides, bark roof, and earthern floor and about twenty stretchers ran along the side wall. The prospect was anything but cheering, as it commenced to rain again, and it looked like staying there for a couple of weeks before we would be able to cross the river.

The "King of Ipswich", Mr. George Thorn is mentioned in The Moreton Bay Courier on 13 May 1848.

Our town, or as some of our friends are pleased to term it "remote village," is at present rather dull, save and except amongst the builders, who, like a busy swarm of bees, are "I calculate, going a-head tarnation slick." A capacious building is being erected by the "King of Ipswich" immediately opposite the Caledonian Hotel, and in the vicinity of the steamer's wharf; it is intended for an hotel, and is, I believe, to be designated the "Prince Albert's Head." In due time, we may, no doubt, expect the "Prince of Wales," and the rest of the royal family. thus our worthy townsman in strolling along, inhaling the flavour of his fragrant Manilla cigar, after leaving the "Queen's Arms," which he also commands, examines the state of the "Prince Albert's Head," with which, as a phrenologist being satisfied as to its bumps - contents, I mean - can enjoy his otium cum dignitate amongst the small fry. Mr. Martin Byrne has also commenced a splendid wing to his present commodious house, which is intended expressly for the accommodation of the squatters, who no doubt will, with that discernment characteristic of them, fully appreciate his exertions, and favour him with their patronage, which is a sure precurser of a rapid independence. Last, though not least, our host of the tutelar saint of sweet Erin's Green Isle has commenced operations on his new purchase at the last land sale, his intention being to build in a style that will do credit to that prince of gentlemen - St. Patrick.