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A startled Venus caused consternation as Adelaide’s first public statue in 1892
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1920s, 1930s, 1960s
An outstanding all-round sportsman was provided with the rare honour of being memorialised during his lifetime
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton & Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | River Torrens | 1920s, 1930s, 1960s, early twenty–first century
The permanent establishment of what became popularly known as the 'Old Adelaide Racecourse' was exceptionally controversial
User Story | East Terrace | 1860s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Victoria Square, named after Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria) in 1836, is the central and most significant of Adelaide’s squares.
Historical Place | By Owen Hems | Central Market | Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
The growing of grape vines dates from the earliest years of European settlement in South Australia.
Historical Subject | By Dr Geoffrey Bishop | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Remembering the role of horses in war.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton & Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 1910s, 1920s, 1960s, early twenty–first century
1 September in Australia is Wattle Day, though not widely known, some have argued it should replace Australia Day.
Historical Event | By Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1900-1910, 1910s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century
In South Australia, the prime key to wealth has been land. From its inception as a European colony, ownership (or control) of land meant access to agricultural and mineral resources. For the Aboriginal peoples, dispossession meant devastation.
Historical Subject | By Martin P Shanahan | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
A temporary camping ground for the early European settlers, the West Parklands developed to host most notably a cemetery and a school.
Historical Place | By Margaret Anderson, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner, Southwest corner | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
A major cemetery, a palace and an observatory have graced West Terrace along with its parklands border
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 2000-2010, 2010s
West Terrace Cemetery reflects the early population groups of Adelaide, and is a popular destination for tour groups.
Historical Place | By Rhiannon Agutter, History Trust of South Australia | West Terrace | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Vibrant Whitmore Square continues to serve its diverse community in the southwest corner of Adelaide
Historical Place | By Amber Clark, Kara-Lee Ramm and Simone McInnes, Australian Environmental History Course, Flinders University of South Australia and Jude Elton, History SA | Southwest corner | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century, Second World War
Short-lived explorer and surveyor William Christie Gosse was the first European to set eyes on Uluru.
Historical Person | By Anthony Laube | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
William Henry Willshire, Adelaide born, joined the South Australian police in 1878 and in 1882 was posted to central Australia.
Historical Person | By Robert Foster | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century
William Mortlock was a pastoralist and a generous and popular, if not necessarily brilliant, parliamentarian.
Historical Person | By Rob Linn | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
William Randell was a pioneer of River Murray paddle-steamers, and was responsible for both designing and piloting them.
Historical Person | By John Tolley | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s
Wirrarninthi/Park 23 is the site of a Kaurna food and medicine trail, a playground for children, and sporting facilities.
Historical Place | By Tennille Anderson, Linnell Hopkins, April Mears and Caitlin Videon, Australian Environmental History Course, Flinders University of South Australia and Jude Elton, History SA | Parklands, Southwest corner, West Terrace | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Yarn bombing has been in Adelaide since about 2008, and takes many forms, from small solo pieces to large, community-driven installations.
Historical Subject | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | early twenty–first century
Mrs Elizabeth Fisher was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1840-1842, and again from 1852-1854.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1790s, 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s
Mrs Martha Wilson was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1842-1843.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s
Jane Hall was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1854-1855.
Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s
Julia Lazarus was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1855-1858.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
Marianne Sabben was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1858-1859.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
Agnes Wright was Mayoress in 1859.
Elizabeth Glandfield was the Mayoress of Adelaide from 1859-1862.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s
Mrs Sarah English was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1862-1863.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
Frances Goode was the Mayoress of Adelaide from 1863 to 1864.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s
Amelia Fuller is remembered for her charity work, particularly her long period of time with the Young Womens Christian Association.
Adela Solomon was the Mayoress of Adelaide between 1869-1871.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
Anna Bartels was a busy mother, hotel licensee, and Mayoress of the City of Adelaide.
Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910
Discover the people who have shaped Adelaide
Explore the city's built environment and famous Parklands
Find the stories behind the city's public artworks, monuments and memorials
Browse some of the themes that contextualise the city's history
Learn about the organisations that have made the city tick
Find out what's drawn people into the city's streets
Explore some of the early maps, plans and panoramas that trace the development of the city
Discover the city's history through a rich collection of museum objects
Explore Adelaide by following a themed tour
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