The Round House
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The Round House is a novel by the American writer Louise Erdrich first published on October 2, 2012 by HarperCollins. The Round House is Erdrich's 14th novel and is part of her "justice trilogy" of novels, which includes The Plague of Doves released in 2008 and LaRose in 2016.
attractions: Fremantle Markets, WA Maritime Museum, Esplanade Park, WA Shipwrecks Museum, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, E Shed Markets, Rottnest Express B Shed Ferry Terminal, SeaLink Rottnest Island, Tourist Wheel Fremantle, Victoria Quay, restaurants: Kailis Fishmarket Cafe, Cicerello's Fremantle, Emily Taylor Bar & Kitchen, Bathers Beach House, Bread in Common, Sail and Anchor, Clancy's Fish Pub, Tonic & Ginger, Gage Roads Freo Brewery, Moore & Moore Cafe
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The Round House is a novel by the American writer Louise Erdrich first published on October 2, 2012 by HarperCollins. The Round House is Erdrich's 14th novel and is part of her "justice trilogy" of novels, which includes The Plague of Doves released in 2008 and LaRose in 2016.
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In 1868 the last convict ship arrived in Fremantle Western Australia. Western Australia was found by Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog as early as 1616 but not much attention was given. He was drifted of course on his way to Batavia, now Jakarta. Same happened to the famous ship wreck Batavia which was on it’s maiden sail when it crashed near Fremantle. It was until 1827 when the British Captain Stirling was exploring the area and wrote positive reports back to England. Afraid of losing ground to the French the British decided to control the region and raised their Flag in 1829 at the mouth of the Swan River and declared Western Australia as new Holland under King George IV. Due to the lack up people, immigration started only month later and with this also the first convict ships arrived. The 1st solid building in the area was the ‘Round House’ in 1931 which housed early prisoners from England. In 1850 Western Australia was declared a Penal Colony and with the growing number of convicts it needed more space and triggered the design of the Fremantle Prison built from 1852 -1959. A white limestone building which was built by the prisoners themselves. It served as a prison until 1991. (now a UNESCO world heritage site) It ended in 1868 with a total of 43 voyages from England and a total number of more than 9000 convicts reaching the new continent.
Alf HofstetterAlf Hofstetter
30
The Round House is represented as an eight cell prison, it's not, it was built early as a defensive lookout across the Swan River Bay and to protect the adjacent settlement inland. The early settlers would not have built such an expensive structure merely to hold a few miscreants that could easily be held in a wooden lockup in the settlement itself. Unfortunately it's been promoted as holding prisoners, and even has dummy prisoners in place. The so called cells would be housed for militia manning the gun emplacement and weapons stores. It's about time the daft prison promotion is dropped - and the true purpose of the round house recognised. There were many fortifications built along the English coast to protect against French invasion, they are a pattern for the Round House. Furthermore a well was constructed in the courtyard, an expensive undertaking way beyond the needs of prisoners but to provide for a defensive structure under possible siege. So lose the overheated prisoner mentality present in tourist offices and remove the daft dummies.
peter menterpeter menter
10
Nowadays Freo is a pretty fun place to be with its cafes, bars, museums and the odd characters who belong to its museums. But back then, if you end up too inebriated you might end up in the Roundhouse instead of the paddy wagon, which even though is situated in an idyllic place overlooking the sea, is a miserable place if you're one of its tenants. It is no surprise that the first permanent building in WA (still standing and well maintained) was a jail. The volunteers who attend the Roundhouse are fantastic and will tell you parts of Fremantle history that's not written down on the walls. If you're a visitor, make sure you list this down as one of your stops. It's only a gold coin entry as well, so don't be a stinge.
Kit TeguhKit Teguh
10
The Roundhouse is the oldest public building in the State of Western Australia. Opened in January 1831, just 18 months after settlement, it was built to hold any person convicted of a crime in the settlement and was used until 1886. After it ceased being used as a gaol it became a Police Lock-up until the late 1890s and then was used as accommodation for the Water Police, and afterwards as a storage facility for Fremantle Ports. When threatened with demolition in the 1920s it was saved and later control went to the State Government before it was deeded to the City of Fremantle.
Quan Le HongQuan Le Hong
00
Oldest public building still standing in Western Australia. That alone makes it very much on anyone's list visiting Fremantle City. Story says it was used to keep inmates when it first established. Although you got to wonder why would you build such structure on a strategic location facing the Indian Ocean to just hold prisoners? And only 8 cells? Couldn't you build it somewhere else near and bigger to hold prisoners? Just food for thought. Don't miss the whaling tunnel under the house, including a secret shelter tunnel from WW2 air raids. Cheers
Ahmed MetwallyAhmed Metwally
00
Located near the top of the hill on Captains Lane, it was about a 5 minute walk from the train station. It is an old prison that was used in the 19th century. There were tour guides by the door so if you were wanting to get an idea of the history they would give you information about the history of the place. Although quite small it is an interesting place to look at. They also have a canon which they appear to shoot at 1pm, near the cliff side of the house.
Benedict UyBenedict Uy
10
Nearby Attractions Of The Round House
Fremantle Markets
WA Maritime Museum
Esplanade Park
WA Shipwrecks Museum
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
E Shed Markets
Rottnest Express B Shed Ferry Terminal
SeaLink Rottnest Island
Tourist Wheel Fremantle
Victoria Quay
Fremantle Markets
4.4
(6K)Click for details
WA Maritime Museum
4.5
(1.5K)Click for details
Esplanade Park
4.4
(1.2K)Click for details
WA Shipwrecks Museum
4.7
(1K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Round House
Kailis Fishmarket Cafe
Cicerello's Fremantle
Emily Taylor Bar & Kitchen
Bathers Beach House
Bread in Common
Sail and Anchor
Clancy's Fish Pub
Tonic & Ginger
Gage Roads Freo Brewery
Moore & Moore Cafe
Kailis Fishmarket Cafe
4.2
(2.4K)$$
Click for details
Cicerello's Fremantle
3.9
(2.4K)$$
Click for details
Emily Taylor Bar & Kitchen
4.7
(1.5K)Click for details
Bathers Beach House
4.1
(1.3K)$$
Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(1K reviews)
Phone
+61 8 9336 6897
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Website
fremantleroundhouse.com.au
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