Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

2nd Cell Block

— Old Melbourne Gaol —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026

1. 2nd Cell Block Marker

Inscription. South-west door to the 2nd Cell Block. Between 1861 and 1907, all condemned prisoners passed through this door on their way to the gallows in the Central Hall of the Gaol. (Note the remains of stone steps and iron bootscraper beside the door.)

Erected by RMIT University. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 37° 48.478′ S, 144° 57.904′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It can be reached from Russell Street 0.1 kilometers west of MacKenzie Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 357 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Western Gaol Wall Archway (within shouting distance of this marker);

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The Melbourne Gaol Men's Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironstone Walls and Footings (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaol Bluestone (within shouting distance of this marker); Bluestone Gaol Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kelly Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Melbourne Gaol Trust Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaol Arched Entrance (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Old Melbourne Gaol. Wikipedia

During its operation, the gaol was the setting for 133 hangings. The most infamous was that of bushranger Ned Kelly at the age of 25, on 11 November 1880. After a two-day trial, Kelly was convicted of killing a police officer. As stated by law at the time, executed prisoners were buried in unmarked graves in the gaol burial yard. Before burial, a death mask was produced from the executed prisoners head as part of the phrenological study of hanged felons. Historian and associate professor of Wollongong University, John McQuilton, states that the lack of monitoring for
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026

2. 2nd Cell Block Marker in the Courtyard
burial processes was odd, given Victorian society's normally brilliant attention to detail.

(Submitted on June 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.