Gaols of NSW - HM Narrabri Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia
By Throsbyonchurch on 13-Jul-20. Waypoint GA22971

Gaols of NSW

HM Narrabri

Architect: James Barnet

Built: 1880

Opened: 1881

Closed: 2 Nov 1982

Clasification:

The first government structures to be erected on the site were the first court house, lock-up and lock-up keepers accommodation.

In 1865 the lock-up consisted of two cells, accommodating a maximum of six prisoners.

In 1875 this was extended by infilling the passage between the two cells, creating an extra cell for two additional prisoners. These structures were located in the area that now forms the forecourt to the second courthouse.

As a result of a number of escapes and influx of prisoners in late 1877, application for additional accommodation was made by the Acting Gaoler.

Tenders were called in 1880 for the erection of a gaol and residence at Narrabri. The buildings were designed by James Barnet.

Tenders closed on 31 September 1880 and the tender of J. Conlon was accepted on 20 October 1880 for £3,590/8/6. The buildings were constructed from 1880 to 1881.

On the 10 October 1886 the site was notified in the Government Gazette as reserved for a gaol site, along with reserves for the Court House and Police purposes.

A formal composition consisting of a main central wing having an elaborate classical pediment and roof fleche flanked on the street by tall brick walls having rendered quoins and spheres above. A timber verandah frames the main entrance while at the rear there is an extensive range of single storey residential cell and service blocks all of similar stuccoed brick construction. The walls of the building are all solid, generally laid in English bond and are substantial. In the residential section, external walls are 35 cm thick and internal walls are 22 cm thick. In the gaol section the external walls are 45 cm thick and internal walls are 35 cm thick.

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