Old Gladstone Gaol, 19th-century correctional facility in Gladstone, South Australia.
Old Gladstone Gaol is a 19th-century prison in Gladstone, South Australia. The complex contains an observation tower, central dome, chapel, morgue, and several cell wings built from local stone quarried in the region.
The prison was constructed between 1879 and 1881, modeled on a design from Bristol Prison in England to solve regional overcrowding issues. Its first inmate arrived on 8 June 1881, though early records reveal that a cat named Lady Jane Grey was initially the only permanent resident.
The visiting system here used iron gratings spaced nine feet apart with warders stationed between prisoners and their families, creating a structured way for people to maintain contact. This arrangement became a significant model for how other facilities in South Australia approached visitor interactions.
The site has been closed periodically for maintenance work, so check current opening hours before your visit. The location in Gladstone is somewhat remote, so plan your route in advance to ensure convenient access.
In the early days after opening, a cat named Lady Jane Grey was the most notable resident of the facility. This unexpected detail from historical records adds a curious and humorous note to the story of this stern institution.
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