The History
Boggo Road Gaol, located in Dutton Park (QLD), opened in 1883 as a single cell block male prison capable of housing 64 short term inmates. This number however was routinely forgotten as up to 125 inmates had been held in the prison at one time. Today the prison is closed and houses only the ghosts of previous tenants.
From wardens to inmates to even a black and white cat, the prison houses a large number of reported spirits.
The Hauntings
One story tells the tale of Ernest Austin; sentenced to death for the assault and murder of an 11-year-old girl, stood on the scaffold awaiting his sentence to be executed (pardon the pun) and shouted that he was proud of what he had done and that he would be back to have his revenge. Years later prisoners would see a face outside their cell doors, they would recognise it as Austin and that he had come to deliver their souls to Satan who he had made a deal with. The historical record however paints a different picture with Austin being remorseful for his crime and trying to kill himself.
Odd noises can be heard throughout the prison, the cliche rattling chains, old time radio broadcasts, even women singing. Out of tune female singing voices can be heard at times, it has been rumoured that these voices are from female prisoners housed at the prison in the 1900’s.
One visitor to the prison who, while on tour, felt an animal brush up against her leg. She asked the tour guide at the end of the tour about the cat, describing it being black and white with three legs, the tour guide recognised it as being ‘Tripod’ the cat he knew during his time as an officer in the gaol.
Investigation Report
The Paranormal Research Australia team have not investigated this site. No conclusions can be made at this time.
