Hotel in the old Mount Gambier Gaol prison - a haunted house

Old Mount Gambier Gaol (Gaol in Old English means prison) is a former prison listed as a cultural heritage site, now converted into residential premises and an event venue in Mount Gambier, South Australia. It is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.

Construction of the prison was planned in 1862, but due to construction delays, it was finally completed on January 8, 1866, four years later than scheduled, and opened on April 4, 1866. In 1873, a women's section was added. In 1995, this prison, located halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, released its last inmate, as the new Mount Gambier prison opened at a different location. Later, it operated for several years as a backpackers' hostel.

In 2010, it was purchased and carefully restored as a hotel and venue for weddings and other events, converting former cells into guest rooms. The current owners do not attempt to hide the past with excessive renovations – the rooms remain Spartan with occasional glimpses of rust; only now the doors lock from the inside instead of the outside, and the old prison chapel has been converted into a library and lobby. Fans of exotic stays can spend the night in the solitary confinement cell, where in the 1800s three prisoners awaited execution by hanging.

Many guests of the old Mount Gambier Gaol come because of rumors about ghosts, but are there really any spirits there?

Although many inmates were imprisoned for crimes such as theft and vagrancy, several were held for more serious offenses like murder. Three men convicted of this crime ended their days in the prison, sentenced to "hanging by the neck until dead." These three prisoners still remain there today, as they were buried on the prison grounds. The exact locations of these three graves are now only a matter of speculation, as are the burial sites of others. This is largely because the headstones have long since disappeared, and records provide no indication of where they were placed.

Carl Jung was the first person executed in the Old Mount Gambier Gaol on November 10, 1871. Carl’s murder occurred under tragic circumstances, unlike the other two. Carl Jung, a shoemaker, was going through hard times and had fallen into debt. He struggled to provide for his family and sank deeper into despair. Additionally, he lost his daughter, which worsened his mental state. Court bailiff’s assistant Thomas Garraway was sent to seize property to cover the debt. Carl offered Garraway hospitality, providing food and lodging, and they both agreed that Garraway would simply take Carl to Mount Gambier to discuss the debt. However, for some reason, Garraway changed his mind the next morning and instead began confiscating Carl’s property, including his horse and cart. As Garraway left the house, Carl, reportedly very upset, followed him. Shortly after, Garraway’s body was found with three gunshot wounds, two of which were to the temple. When Carl returned home, he sold what he had left and then attempted to end his life by going to his daughter’s grave. He overdosed on opium tincture, lay on his daughter’s grave, and waited for her to join him. Although very ill, his attempt failed, and eventually, he returned home where he was arrested by police. He confessed to the murder and expressed remorse. He also claimed it was an accident. Carl’s trial received significant support in his defense, as local businessmen petitioned for leniency, stating that Carl was under extreme pressure and "not of sound mind" when he killed Garraway. The petition was not heard, and Carl was sentenced to "hanging by the neck until dead." Standing on the gallows, he asked that the bouquet of flowers he held be given to his beloved wife after his death. With these words, he left this world.

William Page (alias William Walker) was the second person executed on October 27, 1875. He took an alias because he had just abandoned his family and was also avoiding prosecution for theft. While in Mount Gambier, Page met a young lady, Mary Buchanan, and became engaged, but whenever marriage was mentioned, Page avoided the topic. Mary’s family suspected something was wrong and advised her to break off the engagement. Mary met with Page one last time when he tried to force her into sex. She rejected his advances, returned his ring, and was about to leave him. He struck her on the head before strangling her to stop her screams. Her body was buried in a nearby field, but local police quickly pieced everything together, and he was arrested and sentenced to hanging.

William Nugent (alias Robert Johnson) was finally executed in the Old Mount Gambier Gaol on November 18, 1881. Private Pearce accused William of supplying alcohol to local Aboriginal people and asked Nugent to return to Kingston to face trial. Nugent was also in possession of three stolen horses, so he knew he was in big trouble. Nugent pretended to comply with the request and then waited for his chance to escape. When it came, he pulled a knife hidden in his boot and attacked Pearce. Nugent then fled, leaving the wounded Private Pearce behind. Pearce was found shortly after and was able to identify Nugent as his attacker. Pearce died three days later, and Nugent was tried for murder and soon hanged.

Could any of these three executed men be the ghosts of the old Mount Gambier Gaol? Or could it be one of the many other deaths that occurred in the prison? Other deaths included suicides, illnesses, and natural causes.

One of the first to take her own life in the prison was a young Aboriginal girl, Liz Walton, in January 1867. It was said she showed signs of mental health problems and, unfortunately, found a way to leave this world. Another was Patrick Keane, who was detained for vagrancy in Border Town. He was given only a few months in custody but on February 10, 1912, he also managed to take his own life, this time in the yard by tying a belt to a tap. It was said he also suffered from mental and physical illness.

Many guests, especially those staying in Cell 4, report hearing voices, being touched, as well as someone playing with their feet, objects moving in the room, and someone curiously rummaging through their belongings. So those who believe in ghosts may meet them there.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gambier_Gaol

https://www.mountgambierpoint.com.au/attractions/old-mount-gambier-gaol/

https://adelaidehauntedhorizons.com.au/old-mount-gambier-gaol-ghosts/