1. Image: Bronze statue of a man atop a granite pillar

    Sir Ross Smith Memorial

    The Sir Ross Smith Memorial commemorates the achievements of aviator Sir Ross Smith and the first flight from England to Australia. 

    Historical Thing | By Madeleine Ryan, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 1920s

  2. Sir Samuel Way statue

    Sir Samuel Way Memorial Statue

    A statue of Sir Samuel Way reflects his towering presence in legal, political and cultural circles in the last decades of the nineteenth century.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  3. Bronze statue of Sir Thomas Elder by Alfred Drury, 1903 outside Elder Hall, University of Adelaide

    Sir Thomas Elder statue

    The sculpture of Elder is at the University of Adelaide, a major beneficiary of his philanthropy

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1890s, 1900-1910

  4. Image: crowd of people around large bronze statue of seated man

    Sir Walter Watson Hughes statue

    The bronze figure of Sir Walter Watson Hughes by Francis Williamson stands on a massive block of red granite.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton and James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1900-1910, 2000-2010

  5. Image: The statue of a horse and rider mounting the crest of a hill

    South African War Memorial

    The mounted trooper reining in his horse commemorates South Australians who served in the South African War (1899-1902).

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1930s, 2000-2010

  6. Spheres, 2013

    Spheres

    Balancing and still among the bustle of Rundle Mall, Spheres is among Adelaide's favourite public artworks

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall | 1970s

  7. Image: bronze statue of a young naked boy in running pose

    The Athlete

    Once dubbed 'Adelaide's most active statue' the Athlete is now safely installed in the Lord Mayor's Courtyard. 

    Historical Thing | By Pat Stretton | Central Market, River Torrens, Southwest corner | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  8. The Eternal Question by Richard Kelly Tipping 1982, Light Square

    The Eternal Question

    Word artist Richard Tipping prompts us to consider big ideas in his sculpture ‘The Eternal Question’

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1940s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010

  9. Image: two ships on still water

    The hulk 'Fitzjames'

    Between 1880 and 1891 the hulk Fitzjames, colloquially known as ‘Hell afloat’, served as a Reformatory for over 100 boys aged from 8 to 16 years of age. 

    Historical Thing | By Nikki Sullivan | 1880s, 1890s

  10. The Slide, 2013

    The Slide

    What fun! John Dowie’s work invigorates Rundle Mall

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall | 1970s

  11. Image: large white cross next to smaller white tablet

    The Smith Brothers' Grave

    The Smith brothers’ grave is situated in a prominent position adjoining the Bishop Short Memorial Garden alongside the century-old Chapel of the Resurrection at North Road Cemetery. 

    Historical Thing | By Helen Stein, Cemetery Historian | 1920s

  12. Image: two people walking through underground brick-walled rooms

    Tunnels of Adelaide

    Adelaide tunnel tales are a perennial favourite in the popular press, and are cheerfully perpetuated by tour operators and publicans everywhere.

    Historical Thing | By Deb Morgan | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  13. Venere di Canova, 2013

    Venere di Canova

    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

  14. Victor Richardson Gates, Adelaide Oval, South Australia

    Victor Richardson Gates

    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

  15. Voyagers in Whitmore Square night photo

    Voyagers

    The lives and cultures of ‘Afghan’ cameleers are recognised in Whitmore Square

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Southwest corner | 1860s, 1870s, 2000-2010

  16. Image: carved grey granite horse trough memorial situated in the East parklands

    War Horse Memorial

    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

  17. Image: monument with crowds of people

    War Memorial

    Architect Louis Laybourne-Smith and sculptor George Rayner Hoff created a memorial that conveys the impact of the First World War

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 2000-2010

Pages