Carisbrook Log Jail
An historic building which was built in 1851 and and remained Carisbrook's gaol for low key offenders until about 1900. Several notorious bushrangers were imprisoned here including Morgan the Murderer, and reportedly Frank McCallum and Captain Melville.
There is a 750m gravelled path to Bland Reserve from here.
An information board at the jail has the following background information:
When William Swan Urquhart, district surveyor, came to survey Carisbrook in August 1851, he found there was a police camp of a lock up called "Camp Carisbrook". The log jail was gazetted in 1852 but there is no doubt it was built in 1851 for the occupation of the police contingent, which took up residence on July 1st 1851.
Christened "The Logs" by then Carisbrook resident Tilly Aston, this was the major gaol in the extensive Carisbrook Police District until 1858, and it remained Carisbrook's gaol for low key offenders until about 1900.
It was originally located in the police paddock, but was moved when the Carisbrook Primary School was opened on the Camp Street site in 1873. In the early 1900's it was again moved to its present Bucknall Street site.
Several notorious bushrangers were imprisoned at "The Logs": these included Morgan the Murderer, and reportedly Frank McCallum and Captain Melville. Suspected murderer John Sweeney had to be removed here for fear he would be hanged by the mob. It is likely that Joseph Brooks, who killed Constable Barnett at Havelock in 1858, and his three accomplices were also gaoled here initially.
At least three people have died in "The Logs". These were an infant girl surnamed Wilson in 1857, Thomas Vowles in 1860, and George White in 1881.
Conditions can only be imagined.
After serving as sluice boxes for horses, a wheat silo, and a fodder shed, "The Logs" was reinstated by the Carisbrook Historical society and Shire of Tullaroop as a reminder of the penal system of Victorian colonial times.
Opening Hours:
Open 10 - 5 most days by the Carisbrook Historical Society.
Cost:
Free entry
Location
42 Bucknall Street, Carisbrook 3464 Map
✆ (03) 5464 2400
