Once known as the Old Gaol Green, Prince Alfred Square holds many stories. This 1.5-hectare park is located on the northern side of the Parramatta River. Today, it is a peaceful green space. However, it has a rather illustrious history.
Prince Alfred Square was the site of Parramatta’s second gaol. It was also the location of Australia’s first female factory. The gaol operated from 1804 to 1841. The female factory existed from 1804 to 1821. Locals referred to it as Gaol Green or Hanging Green. Hangings took place at the gaol from 1804 to around 1829.
Before becoming a park, the area was a government farm. Governor Phillip’s government farm was called “Land in Cultivation”. Superintendent Henry Dodd ran it. The farm produced some of the colony’s first successful crops.
In 1837, Governor Bourke authorized it as a village green. This provided a public space for the people of Parramatta. In 1868, it was renamed Alfred Square. This commemorated the visit of Prince Alfred. He was the first Royal visitor to Australia.
The oldest plantings in Prince Alfred Square date back to the mid-Victorian period. These include Moreton Bay figs, a camphor laurel, and a Bunya pine. These trees were planted around 1869 or 1870.
Prince Alfred Square also features a band rotunda. It was completed in 1891. The rotunda has decorative cast iron posts. It also has a copper roof. The War Memorial is another prominent feature. It commemorates those who served in World War I and later conflicts. The foundation stone was laid in 1922.
The Anderson Fountain stands at the northwest corner. It is a granite drinking fountain. Dr. Anderson bequeathed it to the inhabitants of Parramatta. It was erected in February 1882.
Over time, Prince Alfred Square has undergone many changes. Diagonal footpaths were asphalted in the late 1880s. In 1918, Canary Island palms were planted along a diagonal pathway. Brush box and jacaranda trees were added later.
During World War II, air raid shelters were built in Prince Alfred Square. These shelters were cut in a zig-zag pattern. They were located on the southern side of the park. In 1954, the Gollan Memorial Clock Tower was erected. It honored George Gollan, a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Prince Alfred Square is now listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. It is recognized as an important example of a Victorian-era public park. The square provides valuable open space for residents, workers, and visitors. It continues to be a place for community events. It hosts festivals such as Sydney Festival, Parramasala, and Winterlight. Prince Alfred Square stands as a testament to Parramatta’s rich history. It evolved from a penal site to a cherished public space.