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Post date: 07/08/2012
Admin Comments:
Built in 1898 as a gaol, this structure is typical of police and prison fortifications of the time d Bibliography archive:
Built in 1898 as a gaol, this structure is typical of police and prison fortifications of the time d Bibliography archive:
Directions:
In centre of village, opposite shopping area on main street
In centre of village, opposite shopping area on main street
Archive Import
History: This Prison, built as a laager at the time of the Siege of Ladysmith in 1899, is a high-walled rectangular structure with a large enclosed courtyard.The prison building with its loopholes is presumably the last of its kind built by the Natal Colonial Government. It served as the area’s gaol from 1802 until the end of March 1972 when the prison was moved to Bulwer.
The warder’s house is situated in a corner of the laager and like. the rest of the premises, was built of stone. Stones were brought for this purpose from the Drakensberg quarry and dressed by Scottish masons. It was occupied by the prison’s first gaoler A. J. Husband in December 1902. It is believed that the construction of the laager cost R30 000. Since its erection, the laager with its cells, infirmary, offices and armoury, has remained virtually unchanged, except for an extension to the warder’s house and the reconstruction of the gates. In the early days the laager gates were large enough to allow the passage of ox wagons. The present gates are far smaller and have apparently been constructed from the original ones. Unfortunately the existing gates are framed by a heavy concrete structure which is completely out of character with the rest of the building.
Visual Description: Possibly the last built in Natal, this is a significant example of a colonial fortication.
Colours:
Site Features: close to street, walled enclosure occupies almost the entire property
Condition: GoodExternal restoration completed
Construction Date: 1898
Materials: coursed cut stone : corrugated iron
Catalogue: , No: , Significance Category: CAE