Kingston, Norfolk Island
The area was first recorded in 1774 by Captain Cook on his second world voyage. After his return, sharing knowledge of the island, an expedition set out from Australia with convicts to "settle" the island. This was a fairly common practice at the time as punishment for minor offenses - but it was actually to get free labor to the colonies of the British empire.They immediately started building abodes as the weather can be a bit rough. A prison barracks and yard were built, along with administrative buildings, storage, a hospital and a punishment mill for hard labor.
The penal colony became the home of the worst of the worst, those that were so incorrigible, that Australia wasn't punishment enough (although lots of times, just minor offenses could get you sent here because they needed more people). It was a de facto life sentence as you were not given the opportunity to return home or escape from the island. It was 800 miles from the nearest land, making it impossible for the individual to make the trip on their own.
During the Victorian era, things changed - rehabilitation for criminal offenses became sought after. The island was turned into a real colony and the prison closed. The strategic location in the Pacific made it seem like a good choice for a military base.
It was also the relocation for the familial survivors of the Mutiny on the Bounty, which severely taxed the island's limited growing ability to survive and provide.
Now the area contains the Governor's estate, a golf course, and historical site, including remains of a Polynesian settlement that didn't make it, dating from around 700AD they think.
The Arrival - Walking Across the Island
I walked from my hotel down to the shore. This island is super friendly, and a man named George who has a son who's in San Diego stopped and gave me a lift the rest of the way. (If you mention this to anyone on the island, they will know who you are talking about. Everyone knows everyone) Super pleasant and nice guy.The Prison
The original part of the town consisted of stone walled prisons (which is kind of overkill because even if you did leave, you're still stuck on the island), along with support buildings for health, welfare and punishment.Later Growth
After the Victorian era, the original use as a prison became almost inconsequential compared to the desire to make it a real colony, so more services and buildings were stood up to support that goal.
Entrance to the prison barracks
Ruins of the prisoners area
How the system was run here
Where lime was formed - also handy for dissolving the bodies of those you don't like
The island's engineering office, where buildings were planned
Home of the first Governor to run this prison. Not very secure from the prisoners, so understandings had to be reached
800 miles of this in every direction. You're not getting home.
The punishment mill, run by human power
This was the hard labor and it was miserable to work on a human wheel inside
Well, tried to keep things sanitary
Where meat was dried, salted, and stored. Actually incredibly well guarded too
The expansion of Kingston down this road
A dingy to get to the ships or pull people out of the water
An ancient dingy
The first growth into a colony was actually in the prison
Military Barracks
As the French contested British power in this part of the world, an outpost was needed
The officer's bath, looks cold and miserable
A full-on hospital for the colonists
Circa 700 Polynesian settlement that didn't survive. You'd think that would be a hint