Mark of the Empire

Carved directly into the fabric of the building, these simple, bold letters have held their place while generations passed beneath them. I have always felt a deep connection to the quiet permanence of historic stonework—the way time leaves its mark on every edge and surface. In isolating the central plaque of the old Customs House, the craftsmanship of early stone masons takes center stage. It stands as a silent headline of river trade, civic authority, and regional story carved forever into stone.