1. Eyre, Edward

    Edward John Eyre (1815–1901) was English-born and educated for a military career but decided to travel to Australia instead. Arriving in Sydney in March 1833, Eyre soon displayed his flair for self-reliant leadership and adventure.

    Historical Person | By Carol Fort | early nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  2. Elder Family

    Elder Family of Scots merchants and ship owners saw the infant South Australia as an opportunity to expand their business interests. Alexander Lang Elder (1815–1885), the pioneer, arrived in 1839 and established a trading business. 

    Historical Subject | By Carol Fort | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  3. Elder Park.

    From dumping ground to pleasure gardens

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2020s

  4. Elections

    Elections to select members of parliament or local councillors are an important part of the democratic system. Who is allowed to vote is determined by the franchise, and who may stand for election by other provisions of electoral law.

    Historical Subject | By Jenny Tilby Stock | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  5. Electricity

    Although amateur scientists had tinkered with it, electricity was not put to public use in South Australia until the arrival in 1855 of Charles Todd, who pioneered electrical telegraphic communications and introduced the notion of using electricity for street lighting.

    Historical Subject | By Rob Linn | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  6. Woolcock, Mrs. Elizabeth

    Hanged at Adelaide Gaol on 30 December 1873, the 26-year-old Elizabeth Woolcock is the only woman to have been legally executed in South Australia

    Historical Person | By Peter Bell | 1870s

  7. Exploration

    The early heroic phase of South Australia’s exploration by Europeans was plagued by difficulties.

    Historical Subject | By Philip Jones | early nineteenth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  8. Federation

    Throughout the 1890s South Australia was at the forefront of the Federation movement that created the Commonwealth of Australia from six British colonies.

    Historical Event | By John Bannon | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  9. FH Faulding & Co.

    From a humble origin to major international status within the pharmaceutical industry

    Historical Organisation | By Peter Donovan | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  10. First aerial ascent

    American aeronaut Thomas Gale made South Australia’s first successful aerial ascent in June 1871

    Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 1870s

  11. Flinders Street

    From ‘City of Churches’ to the ‘City of Cars’, Flinders Street reflects changes in Adelaide

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1860s, 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, early twenty–first century

  12. Floods

    Paradoxically, the only parts of South Australia to experience occasional serious disruption of by flooding are the far distant sparsely populated deserts around Lake Eyre

    Historical Subject | By CR Twidale, University of Adelaide | River Torrens | 1840s, 1860s, 1870s, 1890s, 1920s, 1930s, 1950s, 1970s, 2010s

  13. Franchise

    The franchise has proved a lively issue in South Australia’s political history. Before representative government, wealthy men of property claimed that parliament should represent only those with a stake in the country, whereas many colonists sought popular representation. 

    Historical Subject | By Dr Helen Jones | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  14. Faulding, Mr. Francis

    Faulding was a manufacturing chemist, prominent businessman, city councillor and church benefactor.

    Historical Person | By Peter Donovan | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, mid nineteenth century

  15. May, Mr. John

    Frederick May was an engineer and manufacturer, and the archetypal 'quiet achiever' who missed out on major fame and success.

    Historical Person | By Mark Boon | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  16. Freemasonry

    The first South Australian Freemasons lodge formed in England, before the colony of South Australia was settled. 

    Historical Subject | By David Hilliard | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  17. Hall, Mr. George

    In the days before Coca-Cola and Pepsi, George Hall was a forward-thinking manufacturer of soft drinks.

    Historical Person | By Anna Stirling Pope | North Terrace | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  18. Farr, Dr. George

    A clergyman and headmaster, Farr was a champion of gentlemanly behaviour, honesty and good sportsmanship.

    Historical Person | By Robert Fisher | North Terrace, Parklands | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  19. Goyder, Mr. George

    A surveyor and conservationist, and incredibly prolific letter-writer, Goyder is mainly remembered for his famous ‘line of rainfall’.

    Historical Person | By Nic Klaassen | North Terrace | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  20. Government House

    One of Adelaide’s oldest buildings, Government House welcomes thousands of visitors each year

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 2000-2010

  21. Grote Street

    Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Central Market continue to attract people to Grote Street

    Historical Place | By Margaret Anderson and Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  22. Hawker Vans

    There is evidence that hawkers were active in Australia as early as the 1820s. 

    Historical Subject | By Michelle Toft, National Motor Museum | 1820s, 1830s, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  23. Mayo, Dr. Helen

    Medical practitioner Helen Mayo combined energy and a strong social conscience in her promotion of child health services.

    Historical Person | By Decie Denholm | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

  24. Hindley Street

    An eclectic mix since foundation, Hindley Street has seen it all

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  25. Hindmarsh Square / Mukata

    Hindmarsh Square, located in the north-east of Adelaide, was one of the six squares designed by Colonel William Light in his 1837 plan of Adelaide. Originally designed as an oasis from the surrounding city, the Square would, however, see it’s size reduced and its lawns intersected by both Pulteney and Grenfell streets as transport and the city developed around it. Despite this, Hindmarsh Square continues to serve its intended purpose as an area of respite from its urban surrounding. 

    Historical Place | By Owen Hems | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  26. Historical Relics Collection

    A collection of nearly 400 objects related to the foundation and settlement of the British colony of South Australia. 

    Collection Level Description | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  27. Historical Societies

    While statewide historical societies formed in New South Wales in 1901, Victoria in 1909, Queensland in 1913 and Western Australia in 1926, South Australians lagged in founding societies to commemorate their own history.

    This did not mean that all ignored their past. Several founders of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, South Australian Branch (1885), hoped that the society would devote much attention to the recording of history, and through their efforts the society fulfilled some functions of a state historical society.

    Historical Subject | By Kerrie Round | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  28. History and Historians

    Historians of South Australia have asked one question above all others: how is South Australia different?

    Historical Subject | By Robert Dare | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  29. Holy Trinity Church

    Holy Trinity Church is the earliest surviving Anglican Church building in South Australia, and one of Adelaide’s oldest standing structures.

    Historical Place | By James Hunter, 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

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