The Freemasons Hotel was founded in the early 1870s. The Freemasons Hotel was designed by Henry Stirling Trigg, the only native born architect in the Swan River Colony at that time. The hotel's name reportedly comes from the original use of the building as a meeting place for the local Masons. Onslow Trigg and William Jones (Publican 1895-1898) were active Masons in the Geraldton district.
This large two storey building is a central landmark in Geraldton. It has retained its high pitched roof and has had the verandah form restored and given this, the place makes a high contribution to the streetscape of the central business district. Further the place has considerable historic significance as a hotel which has operated in the town since 1896.