Normanton Penitentiary

Proclaimed in October 1868, Norman Town and settlement is home to the historic Normanton penitentiary. In 1888 Police Inspector Alex Douglas was transferred from Georgetown to establish the Normanton as the centre of Police District and the Supreme Court of Queensland sat in Normanton from time to time: hence major cases could be heard here. The gaol followed. In the years passed, Normanton Penitentiary has seen some extraordinary characters as its guests.

As ease and speed of travel improved and the population of remote centres such as Normanton declined, so did the need for superior Courts and police Gaols to be retained as part of the official life of the town and they were withdrawn.

Normanton penitentiary was the scene of the last hanging in the gulf and this historical building can be toured with permission from the council. Normanton Penitentiary is open to the public at no charge. Please enquire at the Council Office for access.