St Helena Is By rsalt Period: Jan 1, 720 to Jan 1, 1840 Used by Aboriginal tribe Jan 1, 1826 Named St Helena after Aboriginal exiled establishment Jan 1, 1850 Fledging dugong industry Jan 1, 1866 Quarantine station built Jun 17, 1867 Declared penal establishment Aug 22, 1875 Construction started on causeway Sep 23, 1885 Tramway commences operation Jun 16, 1890 Warders families removed from island May 20, 1921 Became prison farm for low security prisoners Sep 20, 1922 Dismantaling of buildings commenced till 1932 Feb 4, 1933 Open to the public Jun 17, 1979 Gazzeted national park May 30, 1980 Gazzeted historic area Oct 13, 1996 Deisel powered train introduced Sep 16, 2000 Museum Completed Apr 16, 2013 Offical Prison closure