Lock Up Chain

Imprisonment was an inhumane experience. Only Aboriginal prisoners were chained to this heavy chain which was anchored through this gap in the wall of the lock-up. Chains were secured to neck braces worn by the Aboriginal prisoners who were kept on the verandah, no matter the weather. They were then walked in neck chains to Bunbury for the court process. Look carefully at the jarrah walls of the cells to see some words scrawled by prisoners from the past.

Available at:

Bridgetown Police Station Museum

A South West highlight - compelling insight into local history

Bridgetown Historical Society curates the museum within the original Bridgetown Police Station and Lockup 1880. The graffitied cell walls and the well-worn floorboards of this 1880 building speak of...

Address:

148 Hampton St
Bridgetown WA 6255
Australia

Tel:

0487 592 704

Email:

bridgetownhistory@iinet.net.au

Open Hours

Sat 10am - 1pm; Other times on request.

Return to collection to read more

Bridgetown Police Station Museum Overview

Dog Tag

The Dog Act 1883 required that owners register their dogs with their local Road Board. This rare metal dog tag was issued by the Nelson Road Board in 1907. This was the name of the district which was...

Suitcase Stories

The story of arrival is told through this display of suitcases. Each case tells a different story: a Group Settler’s wooden trunk from 1925; a leather trunk of a family of means who created the farm...