Jump to navigation
A pastoralist and mine-owner once accused of fraud, Hughes stated shortly before his death: ‘I have been a sinner all my life’.
Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s
Founder of the Congregational Church in South Australia, Thomas Stow was a strenuous minister and a dedicated opponent of state aid to religion.
A proverbial chip off the old block, Tom Elder Barr Smith was an astute businessman and generous philanthropist.
As the first Labor premier of South Australia, Tom Price established a minimum wage and electrified the tramways.
The term 'all-round sportsman' might have been coined for Victor York Richardson, who excelled at cricket, football, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and basketball.
A conscientious and gifted forestry administrator, Walter Gill was also an enthusiastic nature photographer.
Bagot was an architect whose work, including Bonython Hall and the Barr Smith Library, displays his preference for classical and traditional designs.
Surgeon William Anstey Giles came from pioneering stock, but was a pioneer himself in medical literature.
Soldier, engineer and Adelaide Town Clerk William Veale is celebrated for revitalising the city's parklands.
Short-lived explorer and surveyor William Christie Gosse was the first European to set eyes on Uluru.
Remembered as the founder of the City of Adelaide, Light was South Australia’s first surveyor-general.
William Muirden founded the Muirden College for Business Training, and was known for his well-balanced and harmonious nature.
William Randell was a pioneer of River Murray paddle-steamers, and was responsible for both designing and piloting them.
Lady Bonython grew from ‘Baby Mayoress’ into a community worker and supporter of numerous charities, especially those benefiting women and children.
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
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
Jennifer Cashmore was a trailblazer in South Australian politics.
Historical Person | By Amy Morrison & Larrie Strautmanis | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, 2020s
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
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
Joachim Wendt was a Danish-born silversmith whose work included extravagant naturalism, Edwardian style, and restrained Regency taste.
Historical Person | By Richard Phillips | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s
Instigator and first Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival, John Bishop was a musician, teacher and visionary.
Historical Person | By Jo Peoples | North Terrace | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s
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
Remembered as an eminent botanist, Black was also an accomplished linguist, who reprimanded his grandchildren in French and his dog in Spanish.
Historical Person | By Dr David Jones | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
A quiet unassuming immigrant to Australia, Jonas Vanagas gave his free time to collect the history of Lobethal and the Lithuanian community.
Historical Person | By Daina Pocius, Lithuanians in South Australia | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, Second World War
An eclectic selection of significant contributors to South Australia to 1986
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton & Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1980s
Kate Cocks was both a welfare worker and the first woman police constable in the British Empire.
Historical Person | By Dorothy Pyatt | 1900-1910, 1910s, 1930s, 1950s
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
Affectionately known as the ‘Bonython bath’, this fountain stood outside the South Australian Museum from 1965 to 2005
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1960s
Explorer and surveyor Lawrence Wells survived gruelling expeditions but died after being struck by a railcar.
Historical Person | By Rod Cramer | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s
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