1. Image: sculpture of man on donkey carrying another man

    Simpson and his Donkey

    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

  2. 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

  3. Image: Bust of Sir Lawrence Bragg

    Sir Lawrence Bragg bust

    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

  4. Image: Bust of Sir Mark Oliphant

    Sir Mark Oliphant bust

    The bust of Sir Mark Oliphant on North Terrace honours an eminent scientist and the state’s first South Australian-born governor.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1900-1910, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Second World War

  5. Sir Mellis Napier bust, 2013

    Sir Mellis Napier bust

    The bronze bust of Sir Mellis Napier, sculpted by eminent South Australian artist John Dowie, commemorates his distinguished community service, including to the law and legal profession in South Australia

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

  6. Image: Bronze statue of a man atop a granite pillar

    Sir Ross Smith Memorial

    The Sir Ross Smith Memorial commemorates the achievements of aviator Sir Ross Smith and the first flight from England to Australia. 

    Historical Thing | By Madeleine Ryan, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 1920s

  7. Sir Samuel Way statue

    Sir Samuel Way Memorial Statue

    A statue of Sir Samuel Way reflects his towering presence in legal, political and cultural circles in the last decades of the nineteenth century.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  8. Bronze statue of Sir Thomas Elder by Alfred Drury, 1903 outside Elder Hall, University of Adelaide

    Sir Thomas Elder statue

    The sculpture of Elder is at the University of Adelaide, a major beneficiary of his philanthropy

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1890s, 1900-1910

  9. Image: crowd of people around large bronze statue of seated man

    Sir Walter Watson Hughes statue

    The bronze figure of Sir Walter Watson Hughes by Francis Williamson stands on a massive block of red granite.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton and James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1900-1910, 2000-2010

  10. Image: Cover page for the 'Song of Australia' sheet music.

    Song of Australia

    ‘Song of Australia’ became the accepted national song in South Australia and, for a time, throughout Australia.

    Historical Thing | By Kerrie Round | late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  11. Image: The statue of a horse and rider mounting the crest of a hill

    South African War Memorial

    The mounted trooper reining in his horse commemorates South Australians who served in the South African War (1899-1902).

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1930s, 2000-2010

  12. Spheres, 2013

    Spheres

    Balancing and still among the bustle of Rundle Mall, Spheres is among Adelaide's favourite public artworks

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall | 1970s

  13. Image: A tugboat sits on stands in a dry-dock. A group of men sit facing the vessel in the foreground

    Steam Tug Yelta

    Once an integral component of Port Adelaide's fleet of working vessels, this sole-surviving example of an operational South Australian steam tug has been faithfully restored and now promotes the Port's maritime heritage

    Historical Thing | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  14. Image: view of a street corner with telephone box and poles

    Stobie Poles

    Unique to and ubiquitous throughout South Australia, the ugliness of stobie poles is periodically denounced, as also the mortal damage which they can and do inflict on the occupants of any vehicle unlucky enough to strike one at speed. 

    Historical Thing | By Patricia Sumerling and Wilfrid Prest | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  15. Bronze plaque set in pavement inscribed with name and City of Adelaide logo

    Susan Grace Benny Plaque

    The first female local government councillor in Australia, Benny was a Justice of the Peace, a businesswoman and a lobbyist for women’s equality.

    Historical Thing | By Laura Sherwood, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2000-2010

  16. Image: bronze statue of a young naked boy in running pose

    The Athlete

    Once dubbed 'Adelaide's most active statue' the Athlete is now safely installed in the Lord Mayor's Courtyard. 

    Historical Thing | By Pat Stretton | Central Market, River Torrens, Southwest corner | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  17. The Eternal Question by Richard Kelly Tipping 1982, Light Square

    The Eternal Question

    Word artist Richard Tipping prompts us to consider big ideas in his sculpture ‘The Eternal Question’

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1940s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010

  18. Image: two ships on still water

    The hulk 'Fitzjames'

    Between 1880 and 1891 the hulk Fitzjames, colloquially known as ‘Hell afloat’, served as a Reformatory for over 100 boys aged from 8 to 16 years of age. 

    Historical Thing | By Nikki Sullivan | 1880s, 1890s

  19. Image: bronze sculpture of family group with suitcase

    The Immigrants

    The Immigrants sculpture has been climbed on, sat on, stood next to and embraced by many people who have walked through the gates of the Migration Museum since 2006.

    Historical Thing | By Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 2000-2010

  20. The Slide, 2013

    The Slide

    What fun! John Dowie’s work invigorates Rundle Mall

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall | 1970s

  21. Image: large white cross next to smaller white tablet

    The Smith Brothers' Grave

    The Smith brothers’ grave is situated in a prominent position adjoining the Bishop Short Memorial Garden alongside the century-old Chapel of the Resurrection at North Road Cemetery. 

    Historical Thing | By Helen Stein, Cemetery Historian | 1920s

  22. Image: large fountain featuring human figures and birds lit up at night

    Three Rivers Fountain

    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

  23. Image: Bronze plaque

    Torrens Lake Fountain

    The Torrens Lake Fountain commemorates the first time South Australia was visited by a reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. 

    Historical Thing | By Madeleine Ryan, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 1950s

  24. Image: two people walking through underground brick-walled rooms

    Tunnels of Adelaide

    Adelaide tunnel tales are a perennial favourite in the popular press, and are cheerfully perpetuated by tour operators and publicans everywhere.

    Historical Thing | By Deb Morgan | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  25. Urban Cow Studios

    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

  26. Venere di Canova, 2013

    Venere di Canova

    A startled Venus caused consternation as Adelaide’s first public statue in 1892

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1920s, 1930s, 1960s

  27. Biplane displayed in a building

    Vickers Vimy

    The Vickers Vimy was flown by Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith on their epic flight from England to Australia in 1919, and international historians believe it's now one of the most important aviation artefacts on the planet. 

    Historical Thing | By Lainie Anderson, Epic Flight Centenary Ambassador | 1910s

  28. Victor Richardson Gates, Adelaide Oval, South Australia

    Victor Richardson Gates

    An outstanding all-round sportsman was provided with the rare honour of being memorialised during his lifetime

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton & Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | River Torrens | 1920s, 1930s, 1960s, early twenty–first century

  29. Image: A muddy riverbank and river with several sailing ships at anchor just offshore. A small group of people alight from a rowboat in the foreground

    Ville de Bordeaux

    Originally designed as a warship, this French merchant vessel's first—and only—foray into South Australian waters was fraught with illegality and controversy.

    Historical Thing | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s

  30. Voyagers in Whitmore Square night photo

    Voyagers

    The lives and cultures of ‘Afghan’ cameleers are recognised in Whitmore Square

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Southwest corner | 1860s, 1870s, 2000-2010

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