the decay was seen as something positive, as the tasmanian population wished to distance themselves from the dark image of port arthur. those who bought port arthur property began tearing down the buildings, the destruction was furthered by the fires of 1895 and 1897, which destroyed the old prison house, and earth tremors. in place of the prison port arthur, the town of carnarvon was born. the town was named after the british secretary of state and the population was said to be "refined and intellectual". the town brought in many visitors as they encouraged boating, fishing, and shooting in the natural beauty of the peninsula. they again wished to remove the negative connotation attached to the area.