The Fremantle Arts Centre is considered one of the most haunted locations in Western Australia.
Originally built as a psychiatric hospital - Fremantle Lunatic Asylum - it has seen much overcrowding, abuse and death.
The activity currently experienced likely comes from that history.
Originally built as a psychiatric hospital - Fremantle Lunatic Asylum - it has seen much overcrowding, abuse and death.
The activity currently experienced likely comes from that history.
Asylum for 'Social Problems'
Convict Establishment Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and Invalid Depot, 1870. The Fremantle Arts Centre has the claim of most haunted building in Western Australia. In 1864 the building was opened as the 'Convict Establishment Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and Invalid Depot'. The building was constructed out of necessity, as the original asylum was overflowing and patients/inmates were sometimes taken to the lockups for accomodation.
The building was suitable for fifty inmates (as they were known due to the running of the asylum under prison rules and regulations), but was soon added to, to accomodate larger numbers. It was during the gold rush of the 1890's that the population of the asylum grew greatly. The asylum took in people suffering from a large range of 'social problems' including prostitutes and the elderly. Workers in the minefields, suffering from sunstroke, were also be admitted
The building was suitable for fifty inmates (as they were known due to the running of the asylum under prison rules and regulations), but was soon added to, to accomodate larger numbers. It was during the gold rush of the 1890's that the population of the asylum grew greatly. The asylum took in people suffering from a large range of 'social problems' including prostitutes and the elderly. Workers in the minefields, suffering from sunstroke, were also be admitted
A Shocking Death
Circa 1900. Sometime in the middle of 1900 Catherine Clifford who lived near the got lost. She was missing for sometime before she was found and taken back home. The experience had obviously upset her and her consequent behaviour unsettled the neighbours, so she was admitted to Fremantle Asylum in August. On September 25th Mrs Cliffords husband visited her and found her unconcious, battered with a black eye and scratches to her face. She had suffered the injuries after being attacked by the violent inmate she was sharing her room with. Three days later Mr Clifford recieved the following telegram:
"Your wife died this afternoon reply re burial" J.W. Hope, acting superintending medical officer
There was quite a bit of a stir over whether the death was a result of the beating days before, or whether she had actually died from falling down some stairs. There was a inquiry held on whether the asylum staff could be held accountable. Conditions of the hospital had been in decline for sometime, and at the time of Mrs Cliffords, death over 200 patients were residents in the asylum, with up to 17-20 occupying one room. Regardless, as a result of this, and one other suspicious death, the Asylum went under review and susequently was set for closure. It took nine years for all the patients to be relocated and the Asylum was marked for demolition.
"Your wife died this afternoon reply re burial" J.W. Hope, acting superintending medical officer
There was quite a bit of a stir over whether the death was a result of the beating days before, or whether she had actually died from falling down some stairs. There was a inquiry held on whether the asylum staff could be held accountable. Conditions of the hospital had been in decline for sometime, and at the time of Mrs Cliffords, death over 200 patients were residents in the asylum, with up to 17-20 occupying one room. Regardless, as a result of this, and one other suspicious death, the Asylum went under review and susequently was set for closure. It took nine years for all the patients to be relocated and the Asylum was marked for demolition.
The creepy looking rear and side of the building. The building recieved a reprieve from demolition with it's 1909 transformation into the 'Womans Home'. During WW2 it saw increased expansion as a military depot, and in 1946 it became the 'Fremantle Technical School' until 1955.
It was after this time and the refurbishment of the building, that it became what it is today, 'The Fremantle Arts Center'.
It was after this time and the refurbishment of the building, that it became what it is today, 'The Fremantle Arts Center'.
The Haunting
Today - The Fremantle Arts Centre. The building has it's host of ghosts as one may expect from such a history. Deaths and suicides (including one patient who hanged himself in a stairwell using his belt and the railings) are possible causes for the energies that linger. Cold spots are commonly felt, sounds of crying, laughter and yelling have been heard. Some people have reported the feeling of being kissed on the cheek by unseen persons. A lot of the activity takes place on the first floor where doors open and close and objects move by themselves.
One of the more eerie encounters is one of the apparitions that is seen. A woman whose daughter had been kidnapped was admitted to the asylum due to her deep depression. One night she commited suicide by throwing herself through the first floor window. It is said she can be seen about the building as she still searches in hopes of finding her daughter.
One of the more eerie encounters is one of the apparitions that is seen. A woman whose daughter had been kidnapped was admitted to the asylum due to her deep depression. One night she commited suicide by throwing herself through the first floor window. It is said she can be seen about the building as she still searches in hopes of finding her daughter.
By Ashley Hall
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