The Round House
Built in 1831, on
a high limestone ridge at Arthur's Head, the Round House overlooks both the sea
and Fremantle. comanding a view from the Indian Ocean down High street directle to the Town Hall and beyond. Designed by architect Henry Reveley the building has
twelve sides, giving it the round appearance that gave the structure its
name. Within its walls are eight cells,
surrounding a central courtyard. There
is also a goalers residence. The Round House has a long and harrowing history
and many believe the events that occurred in and around it have led to it being
a haunted place. It certainly has a
presence.
I
have often walked along the street below the looming Round House, or climbed the
staircase to see the view from the hill on which it was built. At times I have spared a thought for the ill- fated John Gavin
It was in
the shadow of the imposing Roundhouse that John Gavin became the first European
executed in the Swan River Colony. He
was a fifteen year old boy, sent to the colonies. John
murdered George Pollard, the fifteen year old son of his employer. Due to the fact that John was so thin and
frail it was decided at his execution which was to be a public affair, his legs
would be weighted so he would die quickly. He was so afraid that he walked slowly and had to be assisted on his way
to the gallow. John Gavin's body was
unceremoniously buried in the shallow
sands near the Round House and not even
given the dignity of a Christian burial.
The Perth Gazette at the time commented
"that on the western precipice of the
Australian continent:There, without rite or ceremony, the remains of this
miserable lad were inhumed, but though the place of his sepulchre be unknown to
all, yet may. God grant that awful example made on so young a lad, may ever be
before the minds of all of us young or old."
