Old Gladstone Gaol facts for kids
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| Location | Gladstone, South Australia |
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| Status | Closed |
| Capacity | 86 |
| Opened | 1881 |
| Closed | 1975 |
| Managed by | Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |
The Old Gladstone Gaol is a really old prison building in Gladstone, South Australia. It's so important that it's listed on the South Australian Heritage Register, which means it's a special historic place. Today, it's a popular spot for visitors to learn about its past.
Contents
Building the Gaol
The Gladstone Gaol was built between 1879 and 1881. It was needed because other prisons in South Australia were too full. The design was based on a special plan from a prison in England.
Designed for All
From the start, this prison was made to hold both male and female prisoners. Local builders, Messrs. Sara and Dunstan, used stone from Gladstone to construct it.
New Rules for Visitors
The Gladstone Gaol was the first prison in South Australia with strict rules for visitors. Prisoners and visitors were kept far apart by iron bars. A prison guard stood between them. This was to make sure no secret messages or forbidden items were passed. The very first prisoner arrived on June 8, 1881.
A Quiet Start
For many years, the prison wasn't very busy. One funny story says that the only "lifer" (someone serving a life sentence) was a cat named Lady Jane Grey!
Challenges and Changes
The prison faced some tough times and changes over the years.
Worker Problems
In 1921, there was a big disagreement involving the prison guards. Some guards were fired, and their union got involved. A future politician named Frank Nieass helped them.
Prisoner Concerns
By the 1920s, people started to worry about how prisoners were treated. In 1924, a former prisoner told a newspaper that spending six months there was "hell." In 1925, a government official named James Jelley visited to check on these concerns.
A Military Role
In 1939, the military took over the prison. It was used as a camp to hold people during World War II. All the prisoners were moved to Adelaide. The gaol wasn't used as a military camp for very long. For about 15 years after that, it was mostly empty.
Reopening and Closing
The prison had a brief return to its original purpose before closing for good.
A Fresh Start for Young People
The prison reopened in September 1952. It had been repaired and updated. This time, it was mainly for young men under 25. The idea was to keep them away from older, more experienced criminals. They were also taught useful skills and trades. This helped ease overcrowding at another prison called Yatala Prison.
Final Closure
However, the prison's buildings eventually became too old-fashioned. So, the Gladstone Gaol closed permanently in 1975.
The Gaol Today
Even though it's no longer a prison, the Old Gladstone Gaol is still an important place.
A Popular Tourist Spot
In 1978, the prison opened its doors to visitors. Now, it's a popular place for tourists to explore. You can take different kinds of tours, including guided tours and even "ghost tours"!
No Hangings Here
For a while, some people thought that hangings had happened at Gladstone Gaol. But this isn't true! The only hangings in South Australia happened in other towns like Adelaide and Port Lincoln.
Stay Overnight!
You can even stay overnight in the old prison cells! The gaol is also used for special events and functions.
Images for kids
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The Old Gladstone Gaol building
