It seems ironic that the two oldest remaining colonial public buildings in Adelaide are the Adelaide Gaol and Government House. Both were designed by George Strickland Kingston.

South Australia was proclaimed a convict-free colony and the surveyors made no provision for a gaol when setting out Adelaide and its sections.

There were two attempts at temporary structures, which proved very insecure, very crowded and very unsatisfactory. By mid 1840 it had been decided that a new gaol was needed. Civil Engineer and Inspector of Public Works George Strickland Kingston drew up the plans for the Gaol in May 1840.

Kingston's design in not unique in its design and concept as it was a design similar to the American radiating plan as well as that used at the English Pentonville Prison which was considered a model prison for the 19^th century.

The gaol ceased being used as a prison in 1988, and is now considered to be a heritage site under the custodianship of the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society.

The gaol is listed on the Register of the National Estate and the South Australian Heritage Register.

Adelaide Gaol (S. Aust.)

Jails -- South Australia -- Adelaide.

Kingston, George Strickland, 1807-1880

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. From the ground up August 2004-