1. Strange, Mr. Arthur

    Kind-hearted and single-minded, 'Padre' Arthur Strange was the founder of the Helping Hand Centre.

    Historical Person | By Rev. Keith Smith | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

  2. Image: sculpture of black stone with water

    14 Pieces

    Recalling the ancient Ichthyosaur, this sculpture invites interaction

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2000-2010

  3. 14 Pieces Fountain- South Australian Museum

    14 Pieces is a sculpture fountain based on the opalised fossilised vertebrae of the Ichthyosaur in the South Australian Museum.

    Historical Thing | By South Australian School for Vision Impaired (SASVI) | North Terrace | 2000-2010

  4. Image: flag with black top, red bottom and large yellow circle in the middle

    Aboriginal flag

    The Aboriginal flag flies high over its birthplace, Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square, a symbol of Aboriginal pride, rights and identity.

    Historical Thing | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  5. Image: A group of men in Edwardian attire pose for a photograph. One of the men is wearing a large mayoral collar

    Adelaide City Council

    The Adelaide City Council has a history spanning over 170 years of service to its citizens.

    Historical Organisation | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  6. Image: blue plaque with logo and text

    Adelaide City Council plaques

    Adelaide City Council plaques promote the city’s heritage and some South Australian identities.

    Historical Thing | By Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street, North Terrace | 1980s, early twenty–first century

  7. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian woman dressed in an early twentieth century Girl Guides uniform with hat. She has light-coloured eyes and dark hair

    Miethke, Ms. Adelaide

    Prussian by descent, Adelaide Miethke was an educationist, and her School of the Air ‘bridged the lonely distance’ for outback children.

    Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

  8. Image: A middle-aged, clean-shaven Caucasian man in a 1950s vintage pin-striped suit sits at a desk and writes on a piece of paper. He appears to be deep in thought as he writes

    Schulz, Dr. Adolf

    Adolf Schulz was an educationist with a brilliant grasp of philosophy and psychology, and the first Principal of Adelaide Teachers’ College.

    Historical Person | By Anna Stirling Pope | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

  9. Ramsay, Mr. Alexander

    As general manager of the South Australian Housing Trust, Alexander Maurice Ramsay was energetic and compassionate.

    Historical Person | By Dr Susan Marsden | North Terrace | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

  10. Image: A well-dressed man with a moustache poses for a photograph. His right arm rests on a table

    Tolmer, Mr. Alexander

    Alexander Tolmer was a Police Commissioner, initiator of the gold escorts, and by all accounts a colourful character with a thirst for action and adventure.

    Historical Person | By Robert Clyne | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  11. Image: A middle-aged clean-shaven Caucasian man wearing a suit and wire-rimmed spectacles sits in a chair next to a desk. On the desk is a large pedal-powered radio, the handset of which is held by the man

    Traeger, Mr. Alfred

    Alf Traeger was friendly but self-effacing, and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the pedal wireless. 

    Historical Person | By John Healey | North Terrace | 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

  12. Image: Three elderly Caucasian men in late Victorian-era attire pose for a photograph outside a bluestone building. Two are seated while another stands.

    Simpson, Mr. Alfred

    Not content with being the nation’s biggest metal goods manufacturer, Alfred Muller Simpson was prominent in public life too.

    Historical Person | By Jim Loudon | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  13. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged Caucasian man with dark hair. He is clean-shaven and wearing a 1930s-era suit and tie

    Richardson, Dr. Arnold

    An agricultural scientist and researcher, the genial Richardson was widely liked and admired.

    Historical Person | By Yvonne Routledge | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

  14. Image: A painted head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged man with mutton-chop sideburns and dressed in Victorian-era attire

    Kavel, Mr. August

    An austere but tolerant Lutheran migrant leader, August Kavel contributed significantly to South Australia’s rich legacy of German culture.

    Historical Person | By David Schubert | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s

  15. August Wilhelm Pelzer plaque on North Terrace

    August Wilhelm Pelzer Plaque

    A plaque to the 'City Gardener' is now obscured in a city garden

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2000-2010

  16. Image: Sepia photograph of bald man standing in front of a chair and table

    Short, Augustus

    The energetic Augustus Short, South Australia’s first Anglican bishop, laid firm foundations for the growth of the Anglican Church in the new colony.

    Historical Person | By David Hilliard | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

  17. Image: Man in turban standing with saddled camel

    Dervish, Bejah

    Camel driver Bejah Dervish, highly-regarded for his part in the Calvert Scientific Exploring Expedition in 1896, became a familiar figure in South Australia’s far north.

    Historical Person | By Valmai Hankel | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

  18. Water

    Bill's Fountain- State Library of South Australia

    This fountain is a memorial to William Faulding Scammell, AO, CBE who was Chancellor of Adelaide University from 1991 to 1998.

    Historical Thing | North Terrace | 2000-2010

  19. Image: bearded man poses for portrait photograph

    Finniss, Boyle

     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

  20. Image: A painted portrait of a middle-aged Caucasian man in mid-nineteenth century attire. He is clean-shaven and wearing a dark neck cravat

    Sturt, Captain Charles

    A soldier and explorer, Captain Charles Sturt was first to chart the River Murray.

    Historical Person | By Valerie Sitters | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s

  21. Image: stone statue of man with hand up to shade his eyes while gazing out

    Captain Charles Sturt Memorial

    Leaning forward and shielding his eyes from the sun, this bronze figure of Sturt looks over Victoria Square, not the land he explored

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  22. Catherine Helen Spence, 1900

    Spence, Catherine Helen

    Writer and social reformer Catherine Helen Spence was also the first woman to write a novel about Australia.

    Historical Person | By Susan Magarey | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

  23. Bronze sculpture, Catherine Helen Spence by Ieva Porcius, 1986

    Catherine Helen Spence statue

    The powerful sculpture of Catherine Helen Spence in Light Square, Adelaide celebrates the life and work of a formidable South Australian.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1850s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1980s

  24. Image: A bearded young man wearing a heavy wool sweater stands outside a hut. His face shows evidence of frostbite

    Madigan, Mr. Cecil

    A geologist and explorer, Cecil Madigan crossed the Simpson Desert in the last classic Australian exploration adventure.

    Historical Person | By Michael Madigan | Hindley Street | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

  25. Image: Two clean-shaven Caucasian men dressed in mid-twentieth century suits pose for a photograph. The man standing at left is young and has dark hair. The other, also standing, is elderly with white hair and is wearing thick-framed glasses

    Fenner, Dr. Charles

    Charles Fenner’s often unheralded contributions to South Australian life were noteworthy.

    Historical Person | By CR Twidale, University of Adelaide | North Terrace | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

  26. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged man wearing a suit-jacket, open-necked shirt and pith helmet

    Mountford, Mr. Charles

    Charles Mountford was an anthropologist, writer and photographer, and was dedicated to the promotion of Aboriginal art and mythology.

    Historical Person | By Philip Jones | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

  27. Colonel Light statue

    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

  28. Image: The memorial to Colonel Light without its spire

    Colonel William Light Grave and Monument

    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

  29. Image: woman in front of sculpture of herself

    Mitchell, Ms. Roma

    A trailblazing jurist, Dame Roma Mitchell pushed for numerous law reforms and became South Australia’s first female governor.

    Historical Person | By Nic Klaassen | North Terrace | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010

  30. Image: A young Caucasian woman poses for a photograph in her 1940s vintage bridal gown

    Litchfield, Mrs. Ruby

    As befitting a dedicated community worker and charity organizer, her simple philosophy was benign: ‘’To live and let live.’’

    Historical Person | By Jo Peoples | North Terrace | 2000-2010, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Pages