mid nineteenth century

Industrialisation

For three decades or so from the late 1930s, largely coinciding with the premiership of Tom Playford, rapid industrialisation transformed the state of South Australia.

Historical Subject | By David C Rich | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: Front of large, two-storey historic building with columns bordering its front door

Institute Building

The oldest of North Terrace’s cultural buildings

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

Blue background with yellow green and blue blow and dashed lines spiraling across the blue.

Iranians in South Australia

According to oral history sources Kamran Eshraghian was the first known Iranian to settle in South Australia

Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | late twentieth century

Irish in South Australia

Irish immigrants have settled throughout the state of South Australia

Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

Italians in South Australia

Antonio Giannoni from Rimini was the first Italian to settle in South Australia

Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century

Image: An upper body portrait photograph of a man in an army uniform, and wearing an army hat with chin strap.

Hele, Sir Ivor

Ivor Henry Thomas Hele was an official war artist in North Africa, New Guinea and Korea; possibly Australia’s most important war artist.

Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a clean-shaven, middle-aged Caucasian man wearing a suit of 1940s vintage

Prescott, Prof. James

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

South Australia’s earliest contact with Japan was in 1876, when the South Australian government began negotiations to settle Japanese sugar cane farmers in the Northern Territory. The scheme was never realised.

Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Bonython, Lady Jean

Lady Bonython grew from ‘Baby Mayoress’ into a community worker and supporter of numerous charities, especially those benefiting women and children

Historical Person | By Joyce Gibberd | Southeast corner | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

black and white image of a woman sitting at a desk with a book

Cashmore, Jennifer

Jennifer Cashmore was a trailblazer in South Australian politics.

Historical Person | By Amy Morrison & Larrie Strautmanis | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, 2020s

Newspaper photo, head and shoulders of woman.

Cooper, Mrs. Jessie

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

Jewish in South Australia

Jews are descendants of a nomadic people who lived in the Middle East in ancient times, or adherents of the Jewish religion.

Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | early twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

Image: Two large interconnected synagogue buildings, a man stands in the bare yard at the front of the building.

Jewish People

Small in number over time, Adelaide’s Jews have contributed significantly to the professions, especially medicine, and are well represented in academia, industry and commerce.

Historical Subject | By Bruce Rosen | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

James, Mr. Jimmy

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

Image: Painting of the back of a man sitting on a chair at his desk. The man is balding. The painting is black and white.

Menge, Johannes

Johannes Menge, born in Steinau, Germany, was South Australia's first geologist.

Historical Person | By Bernie O'Neil | 1790s, early nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young man wearing a suit and wire-rimmed spectacles

Flynn, Mr. John

Founder of the Australian Inland Mission and Royal Flying Doctor Service, Flynn was a practical and restless innovator.

Historical Person | By Ron White | North Terrace | early twentieth century, mid twentieth century

John Jefferson Bray Memorial Fountain

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

Image: Black and white photograph of two men in suits. They are standing around a just unwrapped painting of a ship

Tregenza, John

John Tregenza's work has helped the South Australian public appreciate just how interesting and important their own history can be.

Historical Person | By Wilfrid Prest | late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century

Wainwright, John

John William Wainwright (1880–1948) was born in Naracoorte in the South East, studied accountancy at night and became South Australia’s auditor-general, 1934–45.

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