Plan of Penal Establishment 1889

Dating

This hand drawn plan is dated 1889 but has later additions added to it. It has not been definitively concluded as to how it was used. It may have been used in some part of H.M Prison Pentridge, probably within an office environment such as the prison governor's office or maybe within a sentry post, etc. 

This is based on a number of elements visible on the item such as the list of telephone locations and the batons attached to the top and bottom. The existence of the batons suggests the item was attached to a wall and could be pulled down when needed.

The list of telephone locations has clearly been pasted on after the plan was created. It also appears the plan was also subjected to amendment over time through the removal of detail and the insertion of new detail in its place as seen on the detail survey plans we hold created by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works.

Approximate Dimensions (including batons): 850 x 1150 mm

Paper: Midweight wove paper

Media: Watercolour, carbon ink and iron gall ink (untested)

Information on the creator

It may have been produced by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, MMBW or H.M. Prison Pentridge. The plan was created in 1889 and was in use until at least 1894 owing to the annotations on it relating to the boundary definition in 1892 and the female prison in 1894. 

Considering the information listed on the side in the key it seems like it was created for use on site. Most likely it was made on site for their own administration. 

General history of this type of item

This plan was donated to the Coburg Historical Society, rolled up, together with a warder’s suitcase with the initials HPD.

It is unclear if the plan was created for the use to which it was put. It is entirely possible the plan was originally created by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey following a survey. The manner in which the various elements of the prison are set out with the size of these elements documented in the imperial measurements of acres, roods and perches is reminiscent of the way cadastral parish and township plans (see for example VPRS 16171) and the 1892 annotation about boundaries could be further cited to support such a view. 

Additionally, the manner in which features such as trees and the quarry are recorded bring to mind other Department of Crown Lands and Survey plans maintained within the Historic Plan Collection (VPRS 8168). Nevertheless other Government agencies also employed surveyors (or even the Department of Crown Lands and Survey surveyors) to produce such a plan including the Public Works Department, the Penal and Gaols Branch or Pentridge itself.

Another possibility is the plan was originally created as part of work to further connect the prison to Melbourne's water supply and drainage system in the wake of the establishment of the MMBW in 1892. There are features on the plan which are a hallmark of those found on the aforementioned MMBW detailed survey plans (VPRS 8601). These include the identification of features such as verandahs and the use of a scheme to identify the materials from which the buildings were constructed. 

It is noted that all water sources, such as Merri Creek and of the existence of, or future planning for water pipes and drains have been coloured. Of greater interest is the annotation SYPHON that appears on a few points on the plan which is a verb meaning to draw or convey liquid by means of a siphon. Tree locations are also highlighted. 

A final possibility is the plan was used as part of some activity involving Pentridge Prison or the prison system - as a submission to or a reference tool used by a Royal Commission, Board of Inquiry, internal department inquiry, coronial inquest, court case, etc. 

Considering the information listed on the side in the key it seems like it was created for use on site. *

*Significance Assessment of Pentridge Plan 1889, compiled by Katrin Strohl and Helen Laffin for CHS in 2021.

On display at the Bluestone Cottage Museum, Coburg Historical Society.