Boggo Road Gaol facts for kids
Boggo Road Gaol entrance
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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 famous prison in Queensland, Australia. It was the main prison for the area from the 1880s to the 1980s. Over time, it became known for its difficult living conditions and some prisoner protests.
The prison is located in Dutton Park, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane. It is the only old jail in Queensland that still looks much like it did in the 1800s. After it closed, a newer part of the prison was taken down. Only the older section, built in 1905 for women, remains today.
The prison was officially called "Brisbane Gaol." But most people knew it as "Boggo Road" because of the street it was on. That street is now called Annerley Road, but a new street created after 1996 was named Boggo Road.
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The Story of Boggo Road Gaol
The area where the jail was built was known as "Boggo" in the 1850s. The path through this area was called Boggo Road. Some people think the name came from the ground being very muddy when it rained.
Another idea is that "Boggo" was an Aboriginal word. It might have meant 'two leaning trees.' The road could have been named after two special trees. Boggo Road was officially renamed Annerley Road in 1903. However, the prison kept its well-known nickname.
Building the Prison
In 1863, land near Boggo Road was set aside by the government. It officially became a jail area 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 part became known as the No. 2 Division. It is the only section of the original prison that is still standing today. It is now a protected historical site.
The older "No. 1 Division" was built in 1883. It was later replaced by a new prison in the 1960s. This new prison had better facilities like cold running water and toilets in all cells. Underneath the sports oval of the new prison was a special area. It was known as the "black hole" and was used for punishment. This area was used until the late 1980s.
Life Inside the Prison
The jail was first planned to hold about 40 male prisoners. They were usually waiting to be moved to another prison on St Helena Island. But by 1989, there were 187 male prisoners. The women's section held about 200 more prisoners.
During the 1970s, prisoners protested about the tough conditions. They sometimes went on hunger strikes or protested on the rooftops. The prison was often in the news and became well-known across Australia. Cells in the No. 2 prison did not have proper toilets. Prisoners had to use buckets at night and empty them in the morning.
A government review looked into the living conditions. It found that Boggo Road was old and not good enough for prisoners. The No. 2 Division closed in 1989. The No. 1 Division closed in 1992 and was mostly taken down in 1996. The women's prison operated until 2000 and was demolished in 2006.
Boggo Road Today
Since 1992, the No. 2 Division has been home to the Boggo Road Gaol Museum. It shows off items from the prison's past. From 2003, a group of volunteers ran the museum and tours. Since 2012, Boggo Road Gaol has been a popular place for tourists. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about its history.
In 1993, a concert called "Jailhouse Rock" was held at Boggo Road Gaol. Many famous bands played there, including Divinyls and Powderfinger.
The area around the jail started to be redeveloped in 2006. The historical site closed for a short time. But since 2012, the jail has been open to the public again. The surrounding area has been turned into a modern urban village.
Historical Importance
The No. 2 Division and parts of the No. 1 Division were added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993. This means they are protected because of their historical importance.
Images for kids
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Plaque on a gallows beam used at Boggo Road Gaol
See also
- Boggo Road Busway
- List of Australian prisons
