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Short-lived explorer and surveyor William Christie Gosse was the first European to set eyes on Uluru.
Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s
Remembered as the founder of the City of Adelaide, Light was South Australia’s first surveyor-general.
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
Fisher became the first Mayor of Adelaide in 1840 and the first resident South Australian to be knighted in 1860
Historical Person | By Allison Russell, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
A man of many parts, Martin was an inventor, politician, philanthropist, engineer and ‘The Father of Gawler’.
Historical Person | By Derek Whitelock | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
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
Joachim Wendt was a Danish-born silversmith whose work included extravagant naturalism, Edwardian style, and restrained Regency taste.
Historical Person | By Richard Phillips | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s
The father of Mount Barker, John Dunn lived a long and successful life as a miller, merchant and philanthropist in South Australia.
Historical Person | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
Remembered as an eminent botanist, Black was also an accomplished linguist, who reprimanded his grandchildren in French and his dog in Spanish.
Historical Person | By Dr David Jones | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
John Morphett, namesake of the Adelaide suburb Morphettville, contributed widely to the cultural and economic support of early south Australia.
Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1830s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
‘If worth doing, do it well’ was the motto of John Bagshaw, pioneering designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery.
Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
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
Julian Woods was the co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a creative priest, educationist and scientist.
Historical Person | By Sister Margaret Press | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
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
Affectionately known as the ‘Bonython bath’, this fountain stood outside the South Australian Museum from 1965 to 2005
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1960s
Explorer and surveyor Lawrence Wells survived gruelling expeditions but died after being struck by a railcar.
Historical Person | By Rod Cramer | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s
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
Manufacturing chemist Luther Scammell prepared compounds, saved a struggling business, and coined the name ‘Solyptol’.
Historical Person | By Peter Donovan | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
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
Mahomet Allum was described in glowing testimonials as 'the wonder man' and by his adversaries as a 'quack'.
Historical Person | By Vedrana Budimir & Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
A highly influential painter and printmaker, Margaret Preston was once described as 'a natural enemy of the dull'.
Historical Person | By Jane Hylton | North Terrace | 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s
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
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