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A union official and social reformer who was not a socialist, John McPherson became the first leader of South Australia's Parliamentary Labor Party
Historical Person | By Nick Ganzis | East Terrace | 1880s, 1890s
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
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
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
Mike Maka’s mural features a tired rhinocerous carrying the city of Adelaide on its back.
Historical Thing | By Hannah Stewart, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Street east | 2010s
Narisha Cash's mural acknowledges and celebrates the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of Adelaide and the Adelaide plains.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s, Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early twenty–first century
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
The site of countless debates, Old Parliament House dates from 1855
Michelle Nikou's bronze sculpture stands in almost comic contrast with the plinths that populate North Terrace further west.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s, early twenty–first century
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
The River Torrens has dominated the development of Adelaide and its metropolis, often in subtle or little recognised ways
Historical Place | By CR Twidale, University of Adelaide | River Torrens | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The life size sculpture of Roy 'Mo' Rene on Hindley Street invites intimacy with his casual pose and expression of comic amusement.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street | 2010s
The iconic figure of of 'Simpson and his Donkey' looks over War Memorial Drive from the Angas Garden.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 2010s
The bust of Sir Lawrence Bragg commemorates a South Australian Nobel Laureate
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1970s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The South Australian Aviation Museum is a purpose-built premises that houses historical aircraft, images and a library that are dedicated to aviation.
Historical Place | By Mike Milln, South Australian Aviation Museum | 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Survey chain used by Isaac Guley in surveying the City of Adelaide with Colonel Light.
Collection Item | Central Market, East Terrace, Hindley Street, North Terrace, Northwest corner, Parklands, River Torrens, Rundle Mall, Rundle Street east, Southeast corner, Southwest corner | 1830s
Originally built in 1921 as a power station and office for the Adelaide Electric Supply Company, today this beautiful building houses Tandanya, Adelaide’s Aboriginal Cultural Institution
Historical Place | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | East Terrace | 1920s
Collection Item | 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The Three Rivers fountain in Victoria Square commemorates the Royal Visit in 1963
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1960s, 2010s
Previously situated on Frome Road, near the corner of North Terrace, the Urban Cow Studio has been operating in Adelaide for around 25 years.
Historical Thing | By Cindy Crook, History Trust of South Australia | 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The permanent establishment of what became popularly known as the 'Old Adelaide Racecourse' was exceptionally controversial
User Story | East Terrace | 1860s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
A temporary camping ground for the early European settlers, the West Parklands developed to host most notably a cemetery and a school.
Historical Place | By Margaret Anderson, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner, Southwest corner | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
A major cemetery, a palace and an observatory have graced West Terrace along with its parklands border
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, 2000-2010, 2010s
This bust, sculpted in 2015 by South Australian artist Robert Hannaford, commemorates Professor William Bragg.
Historical Thing | By Alexander Parsons, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s
Lady June Porter was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1968-1971.
Historical Person | By Jessica Martin, HerStory Project | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Mabel Lorna Hayes was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1971-1973.
Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Mrs Valmai Roche was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1975-1977.
Historical Person | By Deborah Hamilton, HerStory Project | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
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