LOCATION FILE
J Ward
FOLLOWArarat, VIC
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OVERVIEW
Built in 1859 as the Ararat County Gaol, J Ward was converted in 1887 to hold men declared criminally insane and continued in that role until 1991 — long after such facilities had closed elsewhere. Some men were held here for decades without review.
HISTORY
Four men were hanged at the site during its time as a gaol and are buried within the walls.
REPORTED ACTIVITY
The cells and the surgery are the focus of visitor reports. The museum is run by a local historical society.
VISITING
Open for guided tours.
SITE PLAN
UPLOAD A PLANNo plan on file yet.
A plan of the building or grounds is what a second team opens on a phone in the dark. Going there? Volunteer to map it, then upload your plan.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Curated references and articles coming soon.
INVESTIGATION RECORD
0 GROUPS · 0 VISITS
No group has logged an investigation here yet.
HISTORICAL RECORD · 0 CITED ENTRIES
SIGN IN TO CONTRIBUTENo cited entries yet. Deeds, newspaper reports, census lines, photographs, ledgers — anything with a source.
COMMUNITY EVIDENCE
SIGN IN TO VIEWEvidence filed at this location — photos, recordings, documents, notes — is visible to signed-in investigators.
GROUP FINDINGS