Boggo Road Gaol facts for kids
Boggo Road Gaol in 2015
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| Location | Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia |
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| Security class | Maximum Security |
| Opened | July 1883 |
| Closed | November 1989 |
| Managed by | At first prisons fell under the control of the Sheriff until the 1890s. The Prisons Department (later the Department of Correctional Services), ran the site until closure. As a historical site the prison was run by different government departments, including State Development and Public Works. |
Boggo Road Gaol was a major jail in Brisbane, Australia. It operated from the 1880s to the 1980s. During its later years, it became known for its tough conditions and some unrest.
The gaol is located in Dutton Park, a suburb of Brisbane. It is the only old jail in Queensland that still shows how prisons were designed in the 1800s. After closing in 1992, most of the newer parts were taken down. Only the older section, built in 1905 for women prisoners, remains. You can visit this part today through guided tours.
The jail was officially called "Brisbane Gaol." But most people knew it as "Boggo Road." This name came from the original name of Annerley Road, where it stands. A new street created after 1996 is now officially called Boggo Road.
History of Boggo Road Gaol
In the 1850s, the area where the jail was built was unofficially called 'Boggo'. By the 1860s, the path through this area was known as Boggo Road.
Some people think the name came from the ground being very wet and "boggy" when it rained. Another idea is that 'Boggo' was an Aboriginal word. It might have meant 'two leaning trees'. These trees could have been near a swamp or a specific street. Another thought is that Boggo Road was a secret shortcut. It connected Ipswich Road and Stanley Street. This shortcut would get very muddy after rain. Boggo Road was officially renamed Annerley Road in 1903. However, the jail kept its old, popular name.
In 1863, land near Boggo Road was set aside by the government. It officially became a jail reserve in 1880. The first cellblock opened on July 2, 1883. It had 57 cells and was built using materials from an older jail. In 1903, a new prison was built just for female prisoners. This section became known as the No. 2 Division. It is the only part of the original jail still standing today. It is now listed on the Queensland State Heritage Register.
By 1989, the jail held 187 male prisoners. The women's facility had about 200 more prisoners.
The No. 2 Division closed in 1989. The No. 1 Division closed in 1992. It was mostly taken down in 1996. Only a small part and a guard tower remain from that section. The women’s prison continued to operate until 2000. It was then taken down in 2006.
Since 1992, the No. 2 Division has been home to the Boggo Road Gaol Museum. This museum shows items related to the prison. In the 1990s, former prison officers gave tours of the site. From 2003, a volunteer group ran the museum and tours. Since December 2012, Boggo Road Gaol has been a tourist attraction. A company now runs guided tours and events there. Like many old places, it also hosts guided ghost tours.
New buildings started to be built around the jail in 2006. This caused the historical site to close temporarily. Since 2012, the jail has been open to the public again. The area around Boggo Road has been turned into a modern living area. It is called Boggo Road Urban Village and was finished in 2010.
Heritage Listing
The No. 2 Division and the remaining parts of No. 1 Division were officially listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993. This means they are protected for their historical importance.
Images for kids
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Plaque on gallows beam used at Boggo Road Gaol
