Known as ‘Demolay House’, this slice of Margaret Street’s history was first opened as Toowoomba’s Courthouse in January 1863, then later converted into a female reformatory. Serious offenders were admitted to two designated cells dubbed ’darkrooms’, while others, some as young as 4 or 5, were imprisoned in the reformatory. This section of the gaol was located outside, separated by its own fenced enclosure. A number of artefacts have been found since the repurposing of the site, including shoes and a young girls dress.

What other secrets do those floorboards and walls hold? We will visit Demolay House as we uncover Toowoomba’s dark past on our upcoming Darkside tours:

• Sunday September 4 @4pm
• Saturday September 17 @3pm

Tickets are linked in bio, hope to see you there!