Melrose Heritage Postcards

showcasing Melrose, South Australia

Courthouse and Police Station

 

1978                                2007

In 1848 a slab hut with a bark roof was built.  It was to be the most northern police station.  In 1862 was then replaced with a stone building.  It was then erected to be a courthouse as well as a police station.

There have been heaps more changes since then, with cells and stables added to the building.

The police station had aboriginal troopers (also known as trackers) that could be away, getting prisoners for up to three months getting their food and water from the land.

Back then the museum cost 1,327 pounds to build and today it would be worth approximately $700,000.

The police station was one of the oldest police stations in Australia making it a very historical and unique place.

It was originally owned  by W. Freeman and W. Richardson and is now owned by Eric and Erica Dagger. Eric acts as a tour guide thought the historical museum.

Unfortunately Melrose ceased to operate the police station in 1967 and it is now a Museum sharing the history of the unique township. The Museum officially opened on the 6th of April 1968 (106 years after it was built).