mid nineteenth century

Image: view of a street corner with telephone box and poles

Stobie Poles

Unique to and ubiquitous throughout South Australia, the ugliness of stobie poles is periodically denounced, as also the mortal damage which they can and do inflict on the occupants of any vehicle unlucky enough to strike one at speed.

Historical Thing | By Patricia Sumerling and Wilfrid Prest | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: head and shoulders shot of woman looking at camera

Benny, Susan

The first female local government councillor in Australia, Benny was a Justice of the Peace, a businesswoman and a lobbyist for women’s equality.

Historical Person | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1870s, 1890s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

Image: street view of buildings with horse and cart

The Adelaide Club

Modelled on the gentlemen’s clubs that proliferated in London from the eighteenth century, the Adelaide Club resembles bodies established at about the same time in the capital cities of the other Australian colonies.

Historical Organisation | By Dirk van Dissel | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

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

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

Image: man sitting on rocky outcrop overlooking township

Strehlow, Theodor

Theodor George Henry Strehlow (1908–1978) was brought up by his parents, Carl and Frieda Strehlow at the Hermannsburg Mission near Alice Springs. His work as linguist and ethnologist contributed extensively to white understanding of Aboriginal culture and music, but provoked ongoing dispute between settler and Indigenous cultures.

Historical Person | By Carol Fort | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: stacks of wine bottles and large wine barrels with signs reading Hardy's

Hardy, Thomas

Thomas Hardy lectured and wrote on the wine business and olive growing, was a member of the Phylloxera Board, Wine Growers’ Association, South Australian Agricultural and Horticultural Society and the Chamber of Manufactures, judged local horticultural shows, published regularly in the local press and wrote two books, Notes on Vineyards in America and Europe (1885) and A Vigneron Abroad, Trip to South Africa (1899).

Historical Person | By Dr Geoffrey Bishop | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian man wearing a light-coloured, late-Victorian era suit and sporting a very large handlebar moustache

Smith, Mr. Tom

A proverbial chip off the old block, Tom Elder Barr Smith was an astute businessman and generous philanthropist.

Historical Person | By Pamela Oborn | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

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

Price, Mr. Thomas

As the first Labor premier of South Australia, Tom Price established a minimum wage and electrified the tramways.

Historical Person | By Nick Ganzis | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

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

Image: group stand in front of a tavern building with four women standing on a balcony in the tavern

United Trades and Labor Council

Carpenters, tailors, bakers, carriers, cordwainers and coachmakers had formed unions within ten years of European settlement of South Australia, and by the 1870s there were thousands of union members in the colony.

Historical Organisation | By Tom Sheridan | 1890s, 1910s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

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

Image: A simple line drawing of a man in cricket batsman attire swinging a cricket bat

Richardson, Mr. Victor

The term 'all-round sportsman' might have been coined for Victor York Richardson, who excelled at cricket, football, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and basketball.

Historical Person | By Dr Bernard Whimpress | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

Hay, William

William Gosse Hay was the son of a wealthy pastoralist, and a writer. Author of six novels which are stirring tales of noble heroes struggling to maintain moral honour in convict-era Tasmania. His unfinished work, ‘The Return of Robert Wasterton’, is set in 1890s Victor Harbor.

Historical Person | By Anthony Laube | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

Willshire, Mr. William

William Henry Willshire, Adelaide born, joined the South Australian police in 1878 and in 1882 was posted to central Australia.

Historical Person | By Robert Foster | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Muirden, Mr. William

William Muirden founded the Muirden College for Business Training, and was known for the balanced symmetry and harmony of his nature.

Historical Person | By Jim Loudon | Southeast corner | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged Caucasian man with a bushy salt-and-pepper beard and receding ear-length hair. He is wearing a late-Victorian suit with bowtie

Randell, Mr. William

William Randell was a pioneer of River Murray paddle-steamers, and was responsible for both designing and piloting them.

Historical Person | By John Tolley | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

Women's Suffrage League

Founded in 1888, the Women’s Suffrage League was an organisation dedicated to extending the political franchise to South Australian women, which was achieved in 1894.

Historical Organisation | By Craig Middleton & Alexander Parsons | 1880s, 1890s

Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

Glandfield, Mrs. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Glandfield was the Mayoress of Adelaide from 1859-1862.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

English, Mrs. Sarah

Mrs Sarah English was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1862-1863.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

Goode, Mrs. Frances

Frances Goode was the Mayoress of Adelaide from 1863 to 1864.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

Townsend, Mrs. Jane

Jane Townsend was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1864-1866.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

Image: woman in long dress sitting on a chair and leaning on a table.

Fuller, Mrs. Amelia

Amelia Fuller is remembered for her charity work, particularly her long period of time with the Young Womens Christian Association.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

Image: A closeup portrait of a woman wearing a black dress with her hair tied back

Bartels , Mrs. Anna

Anna Bartels was a busy mother, hotel licensee, and Mayoress of the City of Adelaide.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

Image: black and white photo of head and shoulders of older woman

Colton, Lady Mary

Lady Mary Colton was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1874-1875.

Historical Person | By Janet Whitham, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

Peacock, Mrs. Jane

Jane Peacock was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (sister-in-law to the Mayor) from 1875-1877.

Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

Scott, Mrs. Emily

Benefactress, Emily Scott was Mayoress of Adelaide between 1877 and 1878.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

Buik, Mrs. Jane

Jane Buik was the Mayoress of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) between 1878-1879.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

Image: Woman, dressed as the Queen, standing holding a curtain

Smith, Lady Elizabeth

Lady Elizabeth Smith was twice the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor), from 1879-1882 and 1886-1888.

Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

Bundey, Mrs. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bundey was Mayoress of Adelaide between 1883-1886.