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South Australia’s first premier was born at sea off the Cape of Good Hope and educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1880s
Colonel William Light’s statue on Montefiore Hill pointing towards the centre of Adelaide has come to symbolise the city that Light laid out.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1930s, early twenty–first century
Colonel William Light’s survey marker from 1837 is to be incorporated in the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1920s
Remembered as the founder of the City of Adelaide, Light was South Australia’s first surveyor-general.
Historical Person | By Dr Robert Nicol | North Terrace | 1830s
Colonel William Light’s grave remains in Light Square, while Light's Monument there has been replaced and embellished over time
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1830s, 1840s, 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910
Colonial factions struggled over the names to bestow on Adelaide's streets
Historical Organisation | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s
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