early twentieth century

Image: A photographic collage containing the portraits of five Caucasian men in late Victorian-era attire. Four of the men are bearded, while the fifth sports a handlebar moustache. Two of the men are middle aged; the other three are younger

Hancock, Mr. Henry

Imposing mine Superintendent Henry Richard Hancock substantially reorganized and developed the “Monster Mine” at Moonta.

Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Image: bronze sculpture of man and woman in uniform

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial

Australia’s first memorial to recognise the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was unveiled in Adelaide on 10 November 2013.

Historical Thing | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | River Torrens | early twenty–first century

Image: A middle-aged bearded man wearing late-Victorian attire and holding an umbrella and stove-pipe hat poses for a photograph

Boas, Abraham

Abraham Tobias Boas was the first rabbi in South Australia, but so inclusive he was also called ‘the best Christian in Adelaide’.

Historical Person | By Jim Loudon | 1860s, 1870s, 1890s, 1920s

Adelaide City Council plaques

Adelaide City Council plaques promote the city’s heritage and some South Australian identities.

Historical Thing | By Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street, North Terrace | 1980s, early twenty–first century

Image: Christmas card front showing steamship

Adelaide Steamship Company

Collection held by the South Australian Maritime Museum relating to Australia’s largest shipping company and one of South Australia’s most successful business ventures.

Collection Level Description | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: A well-dressed man with a moustache poses for a photograph. His right arm rests on a table

Tolmer, Mr. Alexander

Alexander Tolmer was a Police Commissioner, initiator of the gold escorts, and by all accounts a colourful character with a thirst for action and adventure.

Historical Person | By Robert Clyne | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

Image: Exterior view of Gerard and Goodman Ltd Building

Gerard, Mr. Alfred

Electrical merchant Alfred Gerard was also a concerned humanitarian, and a worker for Aboriginal welfare.

Historical Person | By Jason Hollamby | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | early twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: Black and white photograph of three trucks outside Alf Hannaford & Co store

Hannaford, Mr. Alfred

A manufacturer of agricultural machinery, Alfred Hannaford was also an inventor who devised a pickling machine.

Historical Person | By John Miels | North Terrace | early twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: Three elderly Caucasian men in late Victorian-era attire pose for a photograph outside a bluestone building. Two are seated while another stands.

Simpson, Mr. Alfred

Not content with being the nation’s biggest metal goods manufacturer, Alfred Muller Simpson was prominent in public life too.

Historical Person | By Jim Loudon | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged man with a goatee and full head of hair. He is wearing an Edwardian-era suit and tie

Howard, Mr. Amos

Howard was a nurseryman and great promoter of subterranean clover. His discoveries have benefited farmers’ pastures throughout South Australia.

Historical Person | By Dr David Jones | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century

Image: A group of middle-aged men in Edwardian attire pose for a photograph. The two men in the centre sit on chairs, while the other two stand on either side of the group

Kirkpatrick, Mr. Andrew

A union leader, parliamentarian and egalitarian, Andrew Alexander Kirkpatrick pushed for equal rights for women.

Historical Person | By Nick Ganzis | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Image: head and shoulders portrait of a man with a beard

Tennant, Mr. Andrew

Andrew Tennant was the son of a Scottish shepherd who became a pastoralist and counted mining and the Adelaide Steamship Co. among his business investments.

Historical Person | By Dirk van Dissel | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Image: women in dress with hat sitting down next to man in suit and top hat

Tennyson , Audrey

Audrey Tennyson (1854-1916), wife of South Australian governor Hallam Tennyson, took a particular interest in the conditions of South Australia’s poor and sick.

Historical Person | By Dirk van Dissel | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Image: Sepia photograph of bald man standing in front of a chair and table

Short, Augustus

The energetic Augustus Short, South Australia’s first Anglican bishop, laid firm foundations for the growth of the Anglican Church in the new colony.

Historical Person | By David Hilliard | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

Image: bearded man poses for portrait photograph

Finniss, Boyle

South Australia’s first premier was born at sea off the Cape of Good Hope and educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1880s

Image: A painted portrait of a middle-aged Caucasian man in mid-nineteenth century attire. He is clean-shaven and wearing a dark neck cravat

Sturt, Captain Charles

A soldier and explorer, Captain Charles Sturt was first to chart the River Murray.

Historical Person | By Valerie Sitters | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s

Spence, Catherine Helen

Writer and social reformer Catherine Helen Spence was also the first woman to write a novel about Australia.

Historical Person | By Susan Magarey | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a man wearing a suit with a striped tie

Hawker, Mr. Charles

Horribly wounded twice in World War One, the tenacious Hawker went on to be a pastoralist and parliamentarian.

Historical Person | By Rob Linn | North Terrace | early twentieth century

Duguid, Dr. Charles

Charles Duguid was a medical practitioner and champion of the underdog who spent many of his 102 years as a worker for Aboriginal advancement.

Historical Person | By Stewart Cockburn | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Cawthorne, Charles

Cawthorne was a dynamic music seller and concert manager, and is remembered as a genial raconteur.

Historical Person | By Joyce Gibberd | Rundle Street east | 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, 1910s, 1920s

Image: black and white photo of man in glasses, hat and suit

Dennis, Mr. Clarence

Dennis was a poet, journalist and satirist, renowned for The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, the bestselling book of Australian poetry.

Historical Person | By Valmai Hankel | North Terrace, Southeast corner | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century

Hayes, Mr. Colin

Colin Sidney Hayes (1924–1999) was an expert handler and judge of horses, and an astute businessman.

Historical Person | By Dirk van Dissel | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Colonel Light statue

Colonel William Light’s statue on Montefiore Hill pointing towards the centre of Adelaide has come to symbolise the city that Light laid out.

Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1930s, early twenty–first century

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a woman with ear-length dark hair and wearing 1920s attire

Davey, Dr. Constance

Though hampered by a physical disability, Davey became a psychologist and educationist who worked untiringly for social justice.

Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | North Terrace | early twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: black and white photograph of a man sitting in garden

Fowler, David

Merchant David Fowler built a successful grocery business, famous for jams, confectionery and preserved fruit.

Historical Person | By John Walker | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

Image: A small group of Caucasian men, women and children dressed in late Victorian attire ride in a carriage-like vehicle along a town road. The vehicle has four spoked wheels and what appears to be an engine. A moustachioed middle-aged man operates it

Shearer, Mr. David

Though a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, David Shearer also designed an early car, constructed an observatory, and was a keen artist.

Historical Person | By Don Beaty | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

McGuire, Mr. Dominic

Dominic Paul McGuire made a name for himself as a successful author, and became a political ambassador for Australia.

Historical Person | By Katharine Massam | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Everard, Dr. Charles

A physician by training, Charles Everard became a landholder, a farmer and a prominent colonist.

Historical Person | By Jude Elton and Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

Image: Woman dressed in graduation gown and mortarboard

Davy, Dr. Ruby

Ruby Claudia Emily Davy was one of Australia’s leading music teachers and the first woman in Australia to receive a Doctorate of Music.

Historical Person | By Owen Hems | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

Image: portrait of a man in black and white

Wright, Edmund

Some of Adelaide’s finest nineteenth-century buildings were designed by this architect.

Historical Person | By Robyn Taylor | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

Adelaidia