Guildford Gaol

Author

City of Swan

Place Number

23545

Location

Lot 233 Meadow St Guildford

Location Details

Lot 233

Local Government

Swan

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1841

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 10 Jul 1996 Exceptional Significance

Statement of Significance

Good example of early period building characterised by simplicity of form, use of local materials and lack of decoration.

Physical Description

Guildford Gaol consists of two moderately sized rooms, passage and four cells with loft above, constructed from local clay bricks, some two feet thick in parts. Brickwork has since been painted white and original shingled roof replaced with iron. Original section of the gaol was built in 1841 and is flanked on both sides by additions made in 1866. More cells and a police station once were in front but were demolished. Situated adjacent to Court House and forms part of finest row of colonial buildings in the town. Gaol was used as lock-up until Court House closed in 1960s.

History

Construction of Gaol commenced in 1840 at request of the Government Resident of the Swan District, Thomas Yule, who complained to the Governor that the three public houses selling beverages by the gallon caused riotous and drunken behaviour in the town. Guildford Gaol was a desirable alternative to commitment to Fremantle Gaol at considerable public cost in travelling expenses.

Integrity/Authenticity

High.

Condition

Good

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
12170 Old Gaol, Guildford. Architectural evaluation Heritage Study {Other} 1982

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Gaol

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Commercial & service industries

Creation Date

31 Aug 2011

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

15 Jul 2026

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.