Redruth Gaol facts for kids
The Redruth Gaol (also called the Redruth Reformatory later on) is an old prison building in Burra, South Australia. Today, it is a museum. This prison was special because it was the very first one built outside of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia.
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The Prison's Early Days
The Redruth Gaol was built in 1856. It was made to hold people who had broken the law. Interestingly, in January 1866, reports said the prison was empty! Even though it was open, there were no prisoners inside.
In 1871, the government officially named Redruth Gaol as the place to send people arrested from nearby towns. These towns included Clare, Riverton, and Auburn. A few years later, in 1874, people from Georgetown were also sent there.
Problems with Overcrowding
By 1876, the prison had a big problem: too many people! There were 22 prisoners, but only eight cells. This meant it was very crowded. In 1879, when a new prison was being built in Gladstone, people said Redruth Gaol was too small and needed many repairs.
The prison didn't get much use for a while. By 1894, it was costing a lot of money to keep open, about £370 each year. But it only had three prisoners! So, the government decided to close it that year. Prisoners from the north of Burra were sent to Gladstone, and those from the south went to Adelaide.
From Prison to Reformatory
The old prison building found a new purpose in 1897. It was reopened as a girls' reformatory. A reformatory was a special place for young people who needed help to get back on the right track.
Challenges and Closure
The reformatory faced many challenges. In 1920, the person in charge, called the matron, was told off because of complaints about how the place was run. In February 1921, there was even a riot by the girls living there! By July 1921, only 13 girls were left.
The reformatory closed in 1922. The Acting Premier, John George Bice, said it was "not good enough for its purpose." The girls were then moved to a Salvation Army home in Enfield, a suburb of Adelaide.
Redruth Gaol Today
The building was used for filming the 1979 movie Breaker Morant. Later, in the late 1980s, the building was fixed up. The National Trust of Australia and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia helped pay for the repairs. This was part of a project for the Australian Bicentenary, which celebrated 200 years since the first European settlement in Australia.
After being restored, the Redruth Gaol opened as a museum. It has many interesting historical displays for visitors to see. You can visit it as part of the Burra Heritage Passport tour. The National Trust helps run the site and keeps its history alive.
Protecting History
The Redruth Gaol is an important historical site. It was added to the South Australian Heritage Register on July 24, 1980. It was also listed on the old Register of the National Estate on March 21, 1978. These listings help protect the building and its history for future generations.
