‘The Rock’
Mt Eden’s long history is a colourful one. It originally consisted of a timber stockade built in 1856, and the opening of another building on the site in 1865 allowed the crumbling gaol on Queen St to be demolished.
Its stone wall was built by prisoners using volcanic rock from a neighbouring quarry and it was completed in the mid-1870s.
But even before it was finished there were rumblings it should be closed. Views about how to incarcerate prisoners were changing and in 1951 the Government bowed to public pressure and announced it would be demolished. This promise was not to be kept, however, due to a shortage of funds.
During its history it held some of the country’s most notorious criminals, including serial escaper George Wilder and samurai sword killer Antonie Dixon. And an infamous riot in 1965 left the building in ruins.
Former Mt Eden manager Neville Mark is frank on the challenges of running such a foreboding facility.
‘‘I think to live in a place like this you had to be quite hardy, there was a lack of heating and there were some hard nuts in here too in terms of their sentences and of course there were some staff who were very similar to that too, and occasionally you had your clashes.’’
The prison’s nooks and crannies meant there was often punishment dished out away from staff. But despite the danger, the prison was held in respect by both inmates and staff.
‘‘The staff enjoyed working here, even though the walls would sort of run with water in the peak of winter time and things like that, they seemed to be a family and help each other.
‘‘Prisoners had a respect for this place and for some reason they believed you had moved up when you were actually in Mt Eden, and that’s why it was called The Rock. Both staff and prisoners called it The Rock.’’
The future of Mt Eden remains uncertain. As a category one listed heritage building, demolition is prohibited. Its location is also problematic, situated immediately next to its replacement and thus posing security concerns. A railway line borders the north wall and a motorway the east, making access and parking difficult.
But to leave a building of such historic and architectural importance empty seems a waste and Corrections agrees.
It’s seeking a partner to conduct a feasibility study into possible uses for the prison, leaning towards a museum.
It’s unfit for use as accommodation, and of course, there’s the issue of the ghosts. Mark has heard all the stories. ‘‘A number of staff and prisoners will tell you the same thing, throughout the time they’ve spent here there are times they’ve noticed events that could not been explained.
‘‘The place had been blessed a lot in regards to those feelings and events but it appears it’s still happening now since it’s been closed down. Staff have heard pianos being played, telephones going and lights going off and on.
‘‘The silent, unsaid word around this place is definitely ‘haunted’.’’
There were some hard nuts ... and of course there were some staff who were very similar too.