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History: The building which, after so many years, is still called the Old Gaol is second only to the Drostdy, as the oldest and most interesting building in Swellendam.
The oldest known drawing of the Drostdy complex drawn by Schumacher in 1776, shows the gaol already in its present position obliquely opposite the Drostdy itself. It originally consisted merely of the present front portion, with a row of cells behind it. Various additions were made through the years, but we know from a plan in Theal’s Records that it had acquired its present form by 1828.
The building consists of a long front part with a slate- paved stoep and attractive stone steps, worn hollow through use. On each side a wing extends backwards; between them there is a large rectangular courtyard enclosed by a high wall on which the remains of broken bottles may still be seen. The rearmost ends of these wings constituted the actual gaol; the outer walls had no openings; the only windows faced on the courtyard and were heavily barred. The old map even shows a black hole, provided as a punishment for Females in lieu of Flogging. The front portion was occupied by the sheriff and the secretary. When a new gaol was built in the course of time, the Old Gaol passed into private hands and was let. Apart from some minor alterations to the interior converting it into four fiats, it has been preserved in a good condition. Like the Drostdy, the Old Gaol was also acquired by the government and placed under the care of the Drostdy Museum Committee.
In 1968 it was restored and adapted to house the curator of the Drostdy Museum.
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