1. Image: A watercolour painting of a red lighthouse tower with a white lantern room. At the base of the tower is a wooden platform supported by numerous wooden piles. A man stands on the platform at far right

    Port Adelaide Lighthouse

    Installed in the 1860s as Port Adelaide's first fixed navigational beacon, and later used at South Neptune Island, the Port Adelaide Lighthouse today functions as an iconic museum display in the heart of the Port.

    Historical Thing | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  2. Image: Stone building on street corner with large entrance and fountain in front

    Port Dock Railway Station

    The Port Dock Station opened in 1856. It was part of the first government built and owned railway in the British Empire.

    Historical Place | By Adam Paterson, South Australian Maritime Museum

  3. Image: metal post in front of large stone building

    Poverty Corner

    The notorious pick-up at the intersection of Divett and Lipson Streets was known as ‘Poverty Corner’.

    Historical Place | By Adam Paterson, South Australian Maritime Museum

  4. Image: stone building with steeple

    Presbyterian Church

    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

  5. Three storey masonry building with three gable ends

    Prince Alfred Sailors Home

    The first formal accommodation in Port Adelaide for visiting sailors was the Prince Alfred Sailors’ Home. 

    Historical Place | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia

  6. Princess Elizabeth Playground

    The Princess Elizabeth Playground was opened in 1929. 

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia

  7. Image: Head and shoulder shot of bald man wearing suit

    Bragg, Prof. William

    Professor William Bragg had an extraordinarily active scientific career in Adelaide. 

    Historical Person | By John Patterson | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

  8. Image: two smiling caucasian women writing at a main desk in library

    Public Libraries

    South Australia was unique among the Australian colonies in that the South Australian Literary and Scientific Association assembled a subscription library before the settlers left Britain.

    Historical Place | By Carl Bridge and Michael Talbot | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  9. Image: statue of standing queen in royal robes and crown

    Queen Victoria Monument

    Since 1894 Queen Victoria has looked imperiously over the bustle of Victoria Square

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1950s, 1960s

  10. Image: Black and white photograph of the outside of a 19th century villa style building

    Queen's College

    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

  11. Image: Building front view

    Queen's Theatre

    Built in 1840, the Queen's Theatre is the oldest surviving theatre building in Adelaide. 

    Historical Place | By Catherine Manning and James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1840s

  12. Image: large number of hessian bags being loaded or unloaded from steam ships

    Queens Wharf

    Queen's Wharf was one of the first two wharves built in Port Adelaide, providing the foundation of the Port we know today. 

    Historical Place | By Adam Paterson, South Australian Maritime Museum | 1840s

  13. Image: Several Victorian-era buildings line a dirt street criss-crossed by railway tracks. A handful of people and cars of 1920s vintage are visible on the street and adjacent sidewalk

    Railway Hotel (Port Adelaide)

    The two-storey historic building located at 247 St. Vincent Street was the second in Port Adelaide to bear the name ‘Railway Hotel’.

    Historical Place | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  14. Image: Facade of building with prominent sign declaring Rex Theatre

    Rex Theatre

    Opening in 1933, inheriting the place of a cinema which had existed on the spot since 1910, the Rex Theatre was a popular cinema on Rundle Street that was demolished in 1961.

    Historical Place | By Alexander Parsons, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

  15. Image: A photographic portrait of an elderly Caucasian man with a white goatee. He is wearing a Stetson hat and a dark-coloured overcoat

    Smith, Mr. Richard

    Richard Bowyer Smith and his brother Clarence could both rightfully claim distinction as the inventors of the stump-jump plough. 

    Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

  16. Image: A painted portrait of a middle-aged Caucasian man wearing a mid-19th century coat and bowtie. Three medals are pinned to the left breast of his coat

    Schomburgk, Dr. Richard

    A botanist, horticulturist and the director of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Richard Schomburgk was honoured locally as 'the people’s pet'. 

    Historical Person | By Dr Pauline Payne | North Terrace, Parklands | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  17. Image: A map depicting morphological features of the City of Adelaide and its surrounding landscape, with particular emphasis placed on the River Torrens and its associated features

    River Torrens

    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

  18. Statue of Robert Burns

    Robert Burns Memorial

    One of many around the world, this statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns was unveiled in 1894

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1930s, 1940s, 1990s

  19. Image: row of tin buildings with car parked on dirt road

    Rosewater Migrant Hostel

    One of the worst migrant hostels in South Australia, Rosewater consisted of converted wool stores partitioned for accommodation. 

    Historical Place | By Dr Karen Agutter, the University of Adelaide, & Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | 1950s

  20. Image: black and white photo of street lined with three and four storey buildings

    Rundle Street

    Rundle Street has been a centre of shops and arcades, theatre and cafes, as well as acrimonious debate

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall, Rundle Street east | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  21. Image: A large, two-storey brick building built in mock-Tudor style, with two turrets flanking a large entrance door. A sign reading ‘Missions to Seamen’ is visible above the entrance door

    Sailors' Aid Societies (Port Adelaide)

    Sailors' aid societies were first established at Port Adelaide in the 1860s to provide accommodation, entertainment, moral guidance and religious instruction to visiting mariners, and most remained in operation until the late twentieth century. 

    Historical Organisation | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  22. Image: a brick convent building behind a stone wall.

    Saint Mary's Dominican Convent and School

    Saint Mary's Convent and School is one of several historically significant Catholic church buildings and religious community residences based on Franklin Street and West Terrace. 

    Historical Place | By Vedrana Budimir, History Trust of South Australia | Southwest corner | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  23. Image: crowd of people in front of church

    Saint Patrick's Church

    Saint Patrick's Church on Grote Street is one of several historically significant Catholic church buildings in the southwest corner of the Adelaide CBD. The original building was the first Catholic church in Adelaide. 

    Historical Place | By Vedrana Budimir, History Trust of South Australia | Southwest corner | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  24. Image: Black and white photograph of a man seated backwards on chair with arms crossed on seat back and an open book on the table beside him

    Gill, Samuel Thomas

    Artist Samuel Thomas Gill produced a lively visual record of early South Australia.

    Historical Person | By Jane Hylton | Hindley Street, North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

  25. Image: elderly woman in nineteenth century costume

    Francisco, Mrs. Sarah

    Sarah Francisco was one of Port Adelaide’s most notorious residents during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

    Historical Person | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  26. Image: Two men in Victorian attire stand in front of a two-storey brick and bluestone building

    Sawtell's Nautical Optician

    The Port Adelaide business known colloquially as Sawtell’s ‘Nautical Optician’ was founded in 1853.

    Historical Subject | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

  27. Image: two men kneeling on grass in front of buildings

    Semaphore Migrant Hostel

    Semaphore migrant hostel appears to have been home to young single men working in the area. Its proximity to the beach provided at least one attraction for residents. 

    Historical Place | By Dr Karen Agutter, the University of Adelaide, & Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | 1940s, 1950s

  28. Image: man standing in 19th century dress

    Todd, Sir Charles

    Sir Charles Todd was a leader in the fields of meteorology, astronomy and communications, and is best remembered for masterminding the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line.

    Historical Person | By John Jenkin | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

  29. Bronze bust of Douglas Mawson by Adelaide sculptor John Dowie, 1981

    Sir Douglas Mawson bust

    The spirit of Antarctic explorer and professor of geology, Sir Douglas Mawson, is captured in the bust by John Dowie

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1880s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1980s

  30. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian man wearing a late-Victorian era suit and sporting a very large handlebar moustache

    Stirling, Sir Edward

    Sir Edward Stirling was (among other things) a surgeon, scientist, educationist, curator, lecturer and parliamentarian; in short, a Renaissance Man.

    Historical Person | By Anna Stirling Pope | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

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