Convict Establishment Precinct

Author

City of Fremantle

Place Number

22526

Location

Fremantle

Location Details

Local Government

Fremantle

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage Area YES 08 Mar 2007
Heritage List YES 08 Mar 2007

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory YES 22 Nov 1999 Precinct Management

Statement of Significance

This precinct is significant for its association with the establishment and development of places relating to the convict history of Fremantle and of Western Australia. Refer to individual place entries for more specific statements of significance.

Physical Description

This precinct includes the area bounded by: Henderson Street; to Holdwsorth Street; Hampton Road; Alma Street south to; Attfield street; Stevens street; Brennan Street; north to Alma Street; and, South Terrace (north-west to Henderson Street). Note: This precinct also incorporates smaller precincts such as the Law & Order Precinct, Victoria Pavilion & Fremantle Oval, and West End Conservation Area. Other streets in this precinct include Forthergill Street, Fairburn Street, and The Terrace. Other associated buildings: the former Commissariat Buildings; Fremantle Boys School (FTI Building); and, the Lunatic Asylum (Fremantle Museum & Arts Centre).

History

The first convicts arrived in the Swan River Colony in June 1850. Their arrival had an enormous impact on the still struggling colony largely increasing the population and making an enormous contribution to local infrastructure. Under the direction of Captain Edmund Henderson and his assistants Lieutenant Henry Wray and Clerk of Works John Manning, as well as the supervision of the Royal Engineers, the convicts constructed public buildings, roads, bridges, and water systems. On the 40 acres convict grant, the convicts built the prison and houses for the prison hierarchy including The Knowle for Superintendent Henderson. They went on to build such buildings as the commissariat stores, the lunatic asylum, the police station, the barracks, the warders cottages, the boys' school, and Fremantle bridge. (This information is from Bosworth, M. & Hutchison, D. with Walker, M. & Pike, P., 'City of Fremantle Thematic Historical Framework', prepared for the City of Fremantle, June 1995, pp. 59

Place Type

Precinct or Streetscape

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use OTHER Other
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Gaol

Creation Date

29 Jan 2001

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

25 Jun 2021

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.