Definitely one of the things to do in Adelaide...
Visit the Adelaide Gaol, a major part of Adelaide's heritage.
As one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide, the Gaol has
much to offer in the way of education, history and entertainment.
You can learn about Adelaide's penal history and its architecture
from the time of the early settlers right through to today.
Wander around the Gaol at your leisure or book a place on one of
our guided History Tours, maybe you would prefer a night time
Ghost Tour or even participate in a Paranormal Workshop.
All tours are run by the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
which is a not for profit organisation and is run entirely by volunteers.
The Society conducts the original and authentic Gaol Tours and is
not affiliated with any privately run Gaol tour operators.
Individuals, families and groups are all welcome and there is plenty
of free parking.
Coming Events at the Gaol
History Tours
Join a Guided History Tour (fee applies) of the Adelaide Gaol on any
Sunday at 11.00am, 12.00noon or 1.00pm
Private groups of 12 or more people can be booked at a time to suit
you. Contact the Gaol on 08 8231 4062 during normal business hours
on Monday to Friday for details.
The Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841 and along with Government House
is one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide.
Ghost Tours
Public ghost tours are held on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
night.
Bookings are essential (Phone 08 8231 4062)
Private groups of 12 to 20 people can be scheduled to suit your needs
Did you know that the Gaol is reputed to be one of the most haunted
sites in South Australia? Come and hear the ghostly stories and paranormal
activities associated with the Gaol and it's ghostly residents.
Twilight Tours.
The Adelaide Gaol will be running a special Twilight Tour on Sunday
the 18th March 2012. The tour will start at 5:30pm and run
for approximately 1.5 hours.
Our Twilight Tours are spooky and mysterious yet fun for the whole
family.
These tours are designed especially for under 15 year olds and will
include information about the Gaol's fascinating past as well as some
interesting stories about the ghosts and spirits who still wander
the Gaol's grounds and buildings.
Admission is $17.00 for adults and $11.00 for children. Family passes
are available for $50.00 (Family passes include 2 adults and 2 children).
Please phone the Gaol during office hours on 08 8231 4062 as bookings
are essential.
Paranormal Workshops.
Have you ever wanted to explore the paranormal?
Do you want to investigate the Adelaide Gaol's ghosts?
Jeff Fausch, in conjunction with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society
Inc., gives you the opportunity to participate in a fascinating paranormal
workshop.
Conducted in a safe and scientific manner, with constant supervision,
these workshops give you the chance to find out about the paranormal
in one of Adelaide's most haunted sites, the Adelaide Gaol!
Learn to use our equipment, watch some video footage and photos of
paranormal activity at the Gaol and have the opportunity to do your
own investigation.
The Paranormal Workshops for 2012 will be held on 5 May 2012,
11 August and 3 November. Our Workshops run from 6:00pm to 2:00am
the next morning.
Download
your free Paranormal Investigation Information Kit here.
These workshops are always very popular and fill very quickly. Please
register your interest now as we will have limited places available
for the next workshop. Cost is $120.00 per person which includes supper
and refreshments.
Please call the Gaol on 08 8231 4062 during normal business hours
to book a place on one of our coming Workshops.
Virtual Tour
Prepare yourself for an exciting experience! Take a virtual
tour of the Adelaide Gaol.
Do you have what it takes to:
- Experience life behind bars!
- Become a prisoner and see life from the "inside".
- Serve your time and lose your freedom!
View some areas of the
Adelaide Gaol and prepare yourself for the real thing then, when
you are ready, come and experience the Adelaide Gaol in person by
doing a "real time" tour.
A glimpse into the past...
Thomas Horton
Executed 12 May 1904
Thomas Horton’s first wife, Julia had died during June 1903 leaving
him to
raise his three children. On 5 November that same year he married
Florence
Lovell but they were far from happy.
Horton accused Florence of seeing other men, the first time was on
their
wedding day. He was often violent towards her and, on several occasions
during their short marriage, had threatened to kill her.
By February 1904 Florence had left her husband on three occasions.
They had been separated for two weeks when, on Saturday evening 27
February 1904 Thomas purchased a pistol and, in busy Rundle Street
near
the Adelaide Arcade, shot his wife three times.
After firing the fatal shots Horton ran down Charles Street and North
Terrace
to Frome Road where he managed to lose his pursuers.
The body of Florence Horton was carried to a nearby tobacconist where
a
doctor pronounced life to be extinct.
A Coroner s Inquest held at the Elephant & Castle Hotel on the
Monday
afternoon found that Florence Horton had died by pistol shots willfully
inflicted
by her husband, Thomas Horton.
Thomas Horton was a 24 year old shoemaker by trade but had been trying
to
make a living as a juggler and conjuror under the stage name Professor
Anglo. His mother had provided finance for him to travel to England
where he
was favourably reviewed in the London Journal of Magic.
Upon his return he told of being knocked to the ground and rendered
unconscious while in London. In an effort to make him a success as
Professor
Anglo, Horton s mother also financed a six night season at the Tivoli
Theatre
in King William Street where he was billed as the star but by the
final night the
takings were not sufficient to cover expenses.
Two days after the shooting Horton was arrested at gun point while
walking
along the railway line past Bridgewater. He was carrying a revolver
loaded in
five chambers and 92 spare rounds. After being transferred to Adelaide
by
train he was met by Detective Mitchell and Constable Ring and escorted
to
Adelaide Gaol.
The trial of Thomas Horton for the murder of his wife Florence opened
in April
1904 before Mr Justice Boucaut. The court was told that at the age
of ten
Horton fell out of a tree injuring his head and never thoroughly recovered.
He
also had sunstroke and was reportedly never the same after.
His father had died in the Parkside Mental Asylum and Thomas was the
sole
survivor of five children, the others dying from convulsions.
Dr Cleland from Parkside Lunatic Asylum stated that he had visited
the
prisoner in Adelaide Gaol and was of the opinion that when he committed
the
act he didn’t know right from wrong. This comment brought an
immediate
rebuke from the judge who advised that was for the jury to decide.
Two other medical practitioners testified that Horton was sane and
did know
right from wrong.
The Jury retired for one hour before returning a verdict of guilty.
While on remand in Adelaide Gaol Horton climbed over the waist high
railings
on the upper floor of his cell block and on to the roof. A prison
officer who saw
what was going on shouted and Horton climbed down again.
It was this event that led to full height mesh being installed on
all upper cell
blocks.
Thomas Horton was hanged at 8.00am on 12 May 1904. His body was buried
at 1.30pm within the grounds of the Gaol in a grave filled with quicklime.
oooOOooo
Become a Volunteer
Would you like to become a volunteer at the Adelaide Gaol
and share its history?
We currently need volunteers to assist in organising and maintaining
the many Gaol activities. 'On the job' training will be provided.
We especially require day and night time tour guides, cleaners, handymen
and shop assistants. In fact, all skills would be greatly appreciated.
People who are interested in one of South Australia's oldest heritage
sites and are available for a few hours each week should contact
the President of the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
The Adelaide
Gaol Volunteer Application Form can be downloaded and completed
prior to your meeting with the President and the Gaol Manager.
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