Old Dubbo Gaol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Dubbo Gaol |
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Main entrance to the former gaol
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| Location | 90 Macquarie Street, Dubbo, Dubbo Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1847—1945 |
| Original use | Prison |
| Current use | Tourism attraction |
| Architect | Colonial Architect's Office |
| Official name: Old Dubbo Gaol; Dubbo Jail; Dubbo Gaol | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 26 March 2004 |
| Reference no. | 1689 |
| Type | Gaol/Lock-up |
| Category | Law Enforcement |
| Builders |
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The Old Dubbo Gaol is a special old building in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a prison (also known as a gaol) where people were held. Today, it is a popular museum and a fun place for tourists to visit.
This historic site is located at 90 Macquarie Street. It is considered a very important building because it is heritage-listed. This means it is protected by the government due to its history and special design.
History of the Old Dubbo Gaol
The Old Dubbo Gaol was designed by the NSW Colonial Architect's Office. This was a government department that planned many important buildings. The gaol was built over many years, from 1847 to 1945. Different builders worked on it, including James Atkinson Jnr and William Bonython Moffatt.
The Old Dubbo Gaol was not the first prison in Dubbo. It replaced earlier lockups built in 1847 and 1862. It is also sometimes called the Dubbo Jail or the Dubbo Gaol. On March 26, 2004, it was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This register lists places that are important to the history of New South Wales.
From Prison to Museum
After many years of being a prison, the Old Dubbo Gaol was eventually closed. The government of New South Wales had plans to knock it down. They wanted to build a new office block in its place.
However, many people in Dubbo did not want this to happen. The local council, called the Dubbo City Council at the time, and a local history group led protests. They wanted to save the old building. Because of these protests, the government changed its mind.
In 1973, the building was given to the city council. The idea was to fix it up and turn it into a place for visitors. This way, people could learn about its history. Today, the Old Dubbo Gaol is a popular tourist attraction. It helps visitors understand what life was like in an old Australian prison.
