Fremantle’s Town Hall is a triangular two story structure found at the opposite end of High St. from the Round House. The building was commissioned in 1881 with the support of Edward Higham, who originally proposed that it be built on the block bordered by South Terrace, Essex St. and Collie St. Higham’s suggestion was voted down, and construction began in the spring of 1885. Partway through construction, the decision was made to increase the height of the tower and to add a bell. The addition cost 800 pounds and had to be manufactured and shipped from England. The Town Hall, ultimately costing 11,000 pounds, was finished in the winter of 1887 and officially opened June 22nd on Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
A ball, hosted by the town council, was held in the Town Hall on the day after it opened. During the ball, a group of unruly men led by local hotel owner William Conroy sought and was denied admittance by the organisers of the party, including Councillor Snook. Conroy missed the dancing but returned during the Mayor’s dinner toast and confronted Snook in the courtyard. A shot was then heard, Conroy had fired on and mortally wounded Snook. This notorious beginning of Fremantle’s Town Hall provided the fodder, William Conroy, for the final hanging at the Old Perth Gaol.
