The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot, established in 1853, is located near Port Gregory in Western Australia. It was created primarily to supply laborers for the Geraldine Lead Mine and local pastoral stations. The first group of convicts and Pensioner Guards arrived at the depot in May 1853. Initially, the convicts lived in tents while the construction of stone buildings proceeded slowly due to the challenging local conditions, including the lack of suitable timber and skilled labor.
The depot featured various structures, including a lockup, a hospital, a blacksmith’s shop, and quarters for the guards and convicts. Despite these efforts, the depot struggled with high costs, isolation, and poor living conditions. Many convicts suffered from scurvy due to a lack of fresh vegetables, and the saline water supply further exacerbated health issues.
By January 1857, the government decided to close the depot due to the high expenses and the declining mining industry. The remaining convicts and Pensioner Guards were relocated to Geraldton, marking the end of the depot’s short-lived operation.
Today, the Lynton Convict Hiring Depot is the most intact example of a regional convict depot in Western Australia, with conservation efforts ongoing to preserve its historical significance. The site remains an important cultural heritage location, offering insights into the early convict labor system and settlement patterns in the region.
