Colonial Courthouse (Perth, WA)

 tourist information centre/center, historical building

The Colonial Gaol and the Guildford Courthouse have important cultural heritage as fine examples of colonial architecture largely built by convict labour. The Heritage Precinct is integral to an understanding of the early settlement and development of Guildford, and the buildings are closely associated with Richard Roach Jewell, the Colonial Clerk of Works.

The Guildford Colonial Gaol was constructed in four stages 1841, 1851, 1853 and 1867. The Courthouse was constructed in 1866. The two buildings have significance to the people of Western Australia because they are examples of public buildings dating from early decades of colonial settlement in the State. These landmark buildings represent the history of law and order in Guildford and the Swan District from 1841 to 1969. In 1841 the first government building was constructed consisting of two cells, a constable’s room and stocks.