Toowoomba Prison

Infobox_Prisons
prison_name=Toowoomba Gaol
location=Toowoomba, Queensland
status=Non-Operational
classification=Historic Site
capacity=?
opened=1864
closed=1900
managed_by=site reused

Toowoomba Gaol is an Australian Historic prison site located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

History of site

The original Toowoomba Gaol was closed after the prisoners were transferred to Boggo Road Gaolcite web |author=correctiveservices.qld.gov.au |publisher=correctiveservices.qld.gov.au |date=Feb 2007 |url=http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/About_Us/History/History%20Feb07.swf |title=History Feb07.swf |accessdate=2008-01-21 |format=html, Flashmedia ] cite web |author=[e-mail] |publisher=boggoroadgaol.com.au |date=undated |url=http://www.boggoroadgaol.com.au/pages/brg-page-history.htm |title=Boggo Road Gaol Museum |accessdate=2008-01-21 |format=html, javascript ] and demolition commenced in 1903.

Some of the hand-made bricks (using clay dug from pits in Queens Parkcite book |title=Toowomba - Strange and Unusual Tales Vol 1 |last=Talbot |first=Don |authorlink=Don Talbot |coauthors=John Larkin |origyear=2003 |origmonth=April |year=2006 ] ) from the demolished structure were used to build the Boer Wall Memorial Gatewaycite book |title=Ghostly Tales of Toowomba |last=Talbot |first=Don |authorlink=Don Talbot |origyear=2004 |origmonth=August |year=2006 isbn=0-958058 ] at the Margaret Street end of East Creek Park near the Mother's Memorial , after being held in storage as the plaque thereon states.

The whole original site and surrounding modern buildings, including the Repetory Theatre are the source of many ghost sightings/tales.

Motel

"The Comfort Inn, The Park" Motel at 88 Margaret Street has the "Essex Conference Room" and was constructed on the northeast part of the old gaol grounds.

Women's Gaol Hospital

The original hospital site for the Women's Gaol at 92 Margaret Street is now a Cafe.

Austral Hall

The Toowoomba poet George Essex Evans was influential in founding The Austral Society who purchased part of the grounds and let a tender to roof part of the prison yard in September 1904. The Austral Hall was built on this site by Architect William Hodgen who designed the building using three remaining outer walls. The roof was supported by cast iron columns made by the Toowoomba Foundry. The Hall was officially opened on 5 November, 1904 by Sir Hugh Nelson, Lieutenant Governor of Queenslandcite web |Toowoomba City Council |Toowoomba City Council |date=undated |url=http://www.toowoomba.qld.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2653&Itemid=329 |title=Plaques mark historic Toowoomba sites |accessdate=2008-05-06 |format=html ] .

After his death in 1909, and many subsequent important historical world events including WWI, the Austral Society ceased, and the building was later demolished. A townhouse block was erected on the open space and over the remaining western part of the wall basalt foundations after an archaeological dig was conducted by Dr Bryce Baker of The University of Southern Queensland in 1997.

Woman's Reformatory

Female prisoners were transferred from Central Gaol Brisbane to Toowoomba Gaol in 1870. A woman's reformatory with a well-patronised laundry was constructed in 1883-4 by Richard Goddsall outside the prison walls and opened in 1869. After the prison closure in 1903, it was re-used for several purposes before becoming Rutlands Guest House. The Order of de Molay Society purchased the property in 1967. One of the original 'dark cells' is still part of the basement.

Notorious prisoners

Hangmen were brought up from Brisbane as needed. Andrew Ritchie, convicted of murder and robbery under arms, was the first to be hanged at the gaol in August 1864. In December 1869 Chinese cook Gee Lee was hanged for murder together with John (Jacky) Whitton, an Aborigine, for child rape in a double hanging.

ee also

* List of Australian Prisons and Detention Centres
* George Essex Evans
* Jacques de Molay
* Knights Templar

References

Further reading

* Ghostly Tales of Toowoomba. (Don Talbot) 2004. ISBN 0 9580584. Greenridge Press, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia.
* Historic Sites and Buildings in Toowoomba (R. A. Dansle) 1988
* Crime, Culprits and Court Houses (Beris Broderick) published in the Toowoomba Historical Society Inc Newsletter June 2003.
* To Foster the Arts & Science: Austral - The Beginning 1903-4 (R. A. Dansle) 1991
* Toowoomba - Strange and Unusual Tales Vols 1-5 (Don Talbot) 2003-2007