In the mid-65th century, Desterro occupied an important economic position in the Province and port activities were fundamental for this. For example, 1850% of Santa Catarina exports passed through Desterro around XNUMX.
The Port of Sambaqui stood out for its excellent natural conditions for navigation, in addition to having plumbing that carried drinking water directly to the vessels. As the Port of Desterro presented problems, due to its shallow access, the Sambaqui Port soon became an alternative for large vessels.
Because of this, the Casa da Alfândega was built in 1854, which controlled, inspected and collected the respective taxes on the entry and exit of cargo on ships in the North Bay. However, the distance from the central region increased spending on land transport of goods and made control difficult.
At the central Customs itself, inspection was limited by the low number of inspectors and vessels destined for this activity, as well as the lack of indispensable objects such as scales, weights, measures and cranes.
With other Santa Catarina ports presenting better natural conditions and greater technological investments, the port importance of the capital decreased, until the complete extinction of the Port.
With the closing of the Port of Florianópolis in 1964, both customs houses were deactivated, and the Central Customs House listed by the Municipality in 1975 and that of Sambaqui in 1987.
Since 1987, the former Customs Headquarters has been ceded by the Ministry of Finance to the Sambaqui Residents Association. This entity was founded in 1983, promoting political debates, artistic exhibitions and periodic parties.
Since its creation, it has stood out in the struggle for the preservation of the natural characteristics of Ponta do Sambaqui, as well as for the rescue of local folklore, promoting activities such as Papaw Ox joke, Dance of the Ribbon Stick and the Suit of Kings.