Infirmary
- ( Gallows ) Index.
The Infirmary Building dates
back to 1887 and was probably designed by the Deputy Sheriff of
the time and architect John George Knight. The building is a good
example of Darwin tuck-pointed porcellanite rubble construction.
Although some of the windows and doors are not original, much of
the original joinery is intact including a complete range of architraves
and box frames, with beading, sashes, runners and even weights.
The roof blew off during Cyclone Tracy and the building was covered
by a temporary parasol roof, supported and tied down by anchored
steel post internally and scaffolding externally.
The building, which was the site of the 1952 hangings, is reputed
to be haunted and interviews with prison staff suggest that it was
avoided by both staff and prisoners during the operation of the
goal. This building was used in the 1950`s for the cells to accommodate
Aboriginal prisoners during a brief period of racial segregation.
The segregation appears to have been discontinued after about 1963.
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