Jump to navigation
Remembered as the founder of the City of Adelaide, Light was South Australia’s first surveyor-general.
Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s
William Muirden founded the Muirden College for Business Training, and was known for his well-balanced and harmonious nature.
William Randell was a pioneer of River Murray paddle-steamers, and was responsible for both designing and piloting them.
Lady Bonython grew from ‘Baby Mayoress’ into a community worker and supporter of numerous charities, especially those benefiting women and children.
The founder of soil science in Australia, James Prescott was active at every level of education.
Historical Person | By Prof Emeritus John Prescott | North Terrace | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
Jennifer Cashmore was a trailblazer in South Australian politics.
Historical Person | By Amy Morrison & Larrie Strautmanis | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, 2020s
Jessie Mary Cooper was the first woman elected to South Australia’s parliament.
Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | 1850s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
A masterly Aboriginal police tracker, James saved lives, gathered evidence and attained legendary status.
Historical Person | By Robert Holmes | North Terrace | 1970s, 1980s, mid twentieth century
The John Jefferson Bray Memorial Fountain commemorates the life of a senior judge, scholar and poet
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Southeast corner | 1910s, 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1990s
A quiet unassuming immigrant to Australia, Jonas Vanagas gave his free time to collect the history of Lobethal and the Lithuanian community.
Historical Person | By Daina Pocius, Lithuanians in South Australia | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, Second World War
An eclectic selection of significant contributors to South Australia to 1986
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton & Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1980s
Celebration, commemoration and protest happen amid the grand buildings that line Adelaide's main thoroughfare
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, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The shining steel and simple form of Knot typifies the work of sculptor Herbert (Bert) Flugelman.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The evolving profession in South Australia retained some centuries-old practices.
Historical Subject | By Peter Moore | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1980s
Lyell Alexander McEwin (1897–1988) received a frugal Mid North upbringing which taught him the motto, ‘waste not, want not’, that characterised his 40 years in the Legislative Council, 1934–75.
Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
A phenomenally successful athlete, Marjorie Jackson Nelson went on to become a governor of South Australia
Historical Person | By Prof John Daly | North Terrace | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Adelaide’s longest running gay venue, located at 120 Gouger Street and known, until recently, as the Mars Bar, first opened in December 1976.
Historical Place | By Nikki Sullivan, Migration Museum | Southwest corner | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, mid twentieth century
‘My aim is to leave the world better for women’ – Mary Lee was an activist, suffragist and unionist
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1990s
Educationist and sports administrator May Mills believed 'the wholesome development of a nation' depended on sport.
Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
Opened in 1986 the Migration Museum in Adelaide was a world first.
Historical Place | By Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
A very industrious and conservative businessman, Murdoch McLeod was generous but modest and never flamboyant.
Historical Person | By Knoyle Cross | Central Market | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
North Terrace east is Adelaide’s premier cultural boulevard
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Stretching from Adelaide’s first survey point to Parliament House, the character of this part of North Terrace continues to evolve
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, early twenty–first century
The site of countless debates, Old Parliament House dates from 1855
This Owen Broughton work won the 1976 Rundle Mall sculpture contest alongside Bert Flugelman's Mall's Balls and John Dowie's Girl on a Slide.
Historical Thing | By Hannah Stewart, History Trust of South Australia | 1970s, 1980s, 2000-2010
Literally born in a tent, Percy Begg became a pioneer orthodontist whose innovations benefit patients to this day.
Historical Person | By Dr John Jenner | North Terrace | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
'Popeye the Sailor' was a popular cartoon at the cinema in the 1930s when Gordon Watts introduced a tourist pleasure craft on the River Torrens
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | River Torrens | 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010
The Presbyterian Church has a long history in South Australia, owing much to the early Scotish community.
Historical Organisation | By John Love | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Designed in 1892, Queen’s School became one of South Australia’s leading private schools.
Historical Place | By Cindy Crook, History Trust of South Australia | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
In general refugees have enriched and diversified South Australia’s religions, universities and schools, food, the arts, newspapers, clubs and sports.
Historical Subject | By Kate Walsh | 1830s, 1840s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
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
Share your memories, stories and pictures with the Adelaidia community