Mt Barker Local History Centre

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Mt Barker Local History Centre The Local History Centre holds an extensive collection of material relating to the history of the Mount Barker District.

The Local History Centre at Mt Barker holds an extensive collection of material relating to the history of the district. Those researching their family history, the history of their house or other landmarks in the region, or just the district in general will find plenty of resources available to assist them. Our collection currently includes:

- Birth, death and marriage registers
- Burial register details and tombstone transcriptions for a range of cemeteries
- Copies of The Courier newspaper
- Historical photographs
- School records
- Information on heritage listed buildings
- Reference books
- A collection of unpublished material
- Much, much more

A Local History Officer is also available Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 3:50pm to help you with your research. Posts to this page are authored by Rhiannon Agutter, Local History Officer; and Bruce Hemmer and Shay Hannah, Local History Volunteers.

Step back in time to 1904! This remarkable photo of Mount Barker's businessmen includes local identities from the Paltri...
16/10/2026

Step back in time to 1904!

This remarkable photo of Mount Barker's businessmen includes local identities from the Paltridge, Dumas, Cleggett and von Doussa families. Their enterprises, ranging from tanning and retail to newspaper publishing and farming, played an important role in shaping early Mount Barker.

What family names do you recognise from the photograph details below?

Source:

Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

PH-V3-00027 - Businessmen of Mt Barker 8/3/1904.

Front row: Harry Paltridge, F.C. Smith, A.W Howard, R. Daniel, T.C. Paltridge, J. Cleggett, J.G. Thomas, A.C. Daw, Robert Murray.

Second row: Francis Chapman, G. Warland, C.M.R. Dumas, W. Atkinson, I.F. Jackson, H.N. Bell, Alf von Doussa, W.T.C. Marrie, A.F. G. Dye, A. Marks, J. Laver, Wm. Egerton-Warburton, Jas. Johnston.

Back row: D.A. Milne, A.B. Fry, C. Bruermann, F. Daw, C. Wallis, W.H. Blades.

The former Savings Bank of South Australia branch at the corner of Gawler Street and Walker Street, Mount Barker, was op...
09/10/2026

The former Savings Bank of South Australia branch at the corner of Gawler Street and Walker Street, Mount Barker, was opened in September 1940. Designed by architect J. S. Hall and constructed by H. Barber, the modern design and its prominent corner location reflected Mount Barker's growing importance as the commercial and administrative centre of the district. The building also incorporated residential accommodation for the branch manager, a common feature of country bank buildings of the period. It is now Bank SA.

Prior to the bank being built, Horace Mumford had his cycle accessories and repair store there.

Source:
Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Photographs:

PH-V55-00155 Mt Barker: Savings Bank building in Gawler Street. Circa 1948.

PH-V1-00006
Mt Barker: Mt Barker: H.S. Mumford Cycle Accessories Store and repairs, owned by Horace Mumford. Circa 1930’s.

As part of the celebrations during the 1939 Mount Barker Centenary, the town transformed into a vibrant centre of festiv...
02/10/2026

As part of the celebrations during the 1939 Mount Barker Centenary, the town transformed into a vibrant centre of festivities. Multi-coloured electric lights and festive bunting stretched all the way from the Soldiers' Memorial Monument at the top of Gawler Street down to the local sale yards.

The entire roadway was closed off to traffic, creating a massive public dance floor. Revellers danced through the night to music by Ev. Rayson’s orchestra, which was amplified directly from the Institute's Founders Room. A major highlight of the evening was the highly anticipated fancy-dress awards, judged by Mr. Bruce Barker.

Source:
Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Courier Newspaper 19 January 1939

Photographs:

PH-V20-00038 - Mt Barker: Centenary Celebration fancy dress parade down Gawler Street, War Memorial in front, looking east down Gawler Street. 1939.

PH-V20-00082 - Mt Barker: Centenary Celebration decorations and lights in Gawler Street at night. 1939.

PH-V20-00042 - Mt Barker: Centenary Celebration fancy dress Mary Oborn as a Japanese lady, Jan Shoebridge and Janice Bruce. 1939.

PH-V20-00056 - Mt Barker: Centenary Celebration Yvonne Orr and Joyce Walker in fancy dress. 1939.

The National Clothing Factory was established on the Main Street in Hahndorf in 1912 as a regional branch of its parent ...
25/09/2026

The National Clothing Factory was established on the Main Street in Hahndorf in 1912 as a regional branch of its parent factory in Adelaide. The factory made civilian clothing, and during World War I made uniforms for the Australian troops. Within the first year there were more than 30 local women employed. By 1929, the clothing factory closed indefinitely and the manager Mr. A Dickson was transferred to the Adelaide factory.

The building was repurposed as a storehouse and leased to a local business, Derby and Co. fruit preservers, also known as Glen Ellen Canning Factory. In the early hours of the morning in May 1932, a fire broke out and the property was completely gutted.

Sources:

Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Photographs:
[B 16984] National Clothing Company, Hahndorf Circa 1913 Courtesy of the State Library of South Australia

MTB-IN-00004/1 Archives - Extract from Glen Ellen Fruit canning factory - Ledger Book 1912-1927.

TROVE The Register 12 Aug 1913 page 3

Mount Barker Courier 6 December 1929 page 3

Mount Barker Courier 20 May 1932

The foundation stone of the Oddfellows Hall, on Mawson Road in Meadows, was laid on 24 June 1880, and the building was o...
18/09/2026

The foundation stone of the Oddfellows Hall, on Mawson Road in Meadows, was laid on 24 June 1880, and the building was officially opened on 9 November that same year. Prominently situated within the township, the hall became an important community venue, hosting a wide range of local activities, as well as Council and ratepayers' meetings.

Following World War II, the historic building was purchased by the R.S.L. in 1946. However, declining membership within the Meadows R.S.L. sub-branch eventually made the maintenance of the hall unsustainable. With meeting attendance reduced to only a handful of members, the organisation could no longer justify the ongoing upkeep costs, and the hall was sold at auction in 1981. The remaining members subsequently rented premises in the district so they could continue to hold their meetings.

After its sale, the building operated for a period as a craft shop before later passing into private ownership. Today, the former Oddfellows Hall remains a significant reminder of Meadows' social and community history.

Source:
Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Mt Barker District Heritage Survey Draft 1994.

Southern Argus 11 November 1880.

Courier Newspaper 17 June 1981.

Photographs:

PH-V43-00126/27
Meadows: Old Oddfellows, Return Services League (RSL) hall. Date: 1994

The Duncan Challenge Trophy, an impressive piece of silverware designed by Julius Schomburgk, was won outright by the Mt...
11/09/2026

The Duncan Challenge Trophy, an impressive piece of silverware designed by Julius Schomburgk, was won outright by the Mt Barker Agricultural Bureau in 1924 at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Donated in 1912 by prominent pastoralist, Sir John Duncan, the trophy was awarded annually to the district presenting the finest display of local produce at the Royal Show. It was to become the permanent property of any district that achieved five victories. Mt Barker District secured this honour in 1924 after recording its fifth win. Among the local names associated with the successful exhibits were local producers, Stephenson, Frame and Crompton families.

The trophy stands as a symbol of Mt Barker's rich agricultural heritage and recalls the era when the district was renowned as South Australia's "Cream Bowl".

Today, the Duncan Challenge Trophy is permanently housed in the Royal Adelaide Agricultural and Horticultural Society Archives and Museum at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville.

Source:
Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Photographs:

PH-V63-00110
Mt Barker: Duncan Trophy won by Agricultural Bureau in 1924. Arthur Crompton, John Frame and Ted Stephenson. Date: 1976 Courier Newspaper photograph.

MTB-AG- 00010 – Mt Barker Agricultural Bureau winning display at the Royal Show in Adelaide. Date: 1924

PH-V34-00025
Mt Barker: Trevor Neumann (Agricultural Bureau), Ian McLeod (National Bank Manager) and Member for Heysen David Wotton at the unveiling ceremony of the Duncan Challenge Trophy. Date: 1988 Courier Newspaper Photograph.

The freeway project gained momentum in March 1975.Work on the $400,000 Mount Barker interchange bridge over the South Ea...
04/09/2026

The freeway project gained momentum in March 1975.

Work on the $400,000 Mount Barker interchange bridge over the South Eastern Freeway was due to be completed in June 1975. Once opened to traffic, the freeway would replace Childs Road as the main thoroughfare into Mount Barker.

Source:

Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Courier Newspaper 19 March 1975

Photographs:
PH-V14-00013 Mt Barker: Preparing reinforcement mesh for the concrete pour on the interchange bridge over the freeway. Date: 1975 Courier Newspaper Photograph.

PH-V14-00014 Mt Barker: Looking from the Littlehampton side at the interchange bridge over the freeway. Date: 1975 Courier Newspaper Photograph.

PH-D-V6-00235 Mt Barker: View of Childs Road and the South-Eastern freeway under construction. Date: 1975 Graham Crack Collection.

Bruce, the faithful dog owned by Mr D. A. Milne, was a familiar figure at the Mount Barker Cricket Oval in Dunn Park dur...
28/08/2026

Bruce, the faithful dog owned by Mr D. A. Milne, was a familiar figure at the Mount Barker Cricket Oval in Dunn Park during the 1880s. On both practice and match days, he would make his way to the ground and take up his customary fielding position.

Whenever the ball disappeared into the hedge, Bruce knew exactly what was expected of him and required no encouragement. Even at the remarkable age of 19, his enthusiasm remained undiminished, although he could do little more than wag his tail when the ball rolled into the hedge. He was even said to break into a smile when the home team won.

It was suggested that, upon his death, Bruce should be buried on the oval, with a bat and ball marking his resting place. Whether this tribute was ever carried out remains unknown.

Source:
Local History database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au

Bruce the cricketing canine - Mt Barker Courier Newspaper 23 December 1889

PH-D-V1-00125 -Mt Barker: Cricket team at Dunn Park. Circa 1900.

PH-D-V6-00389
Mt Barker: A view from Paddys Hill Road looking towards Windmill Hill. Beyond the railway line is Dunn Oval located on Cameron Road. Date: 1967.

In June 1984, after nearly two years of uncertainty and repeated postponements, the Southern Farmers cheese factory in M...
21/08/2026

In June 1984, after nearly two years of uncertainty and repeated postponements, the Southern Farmers cheese factory in Mt Barker finally closed after 50 years of production.

The last batch of cheese was completed at 3 p.m. on the factory's final day, marking the end of an era for the local Southern Farmer’s dairy industry. Economic recession and declining orders had made the factory's future doubtful, although new contracts repeatedly delayed its closure. Most employees transferred to Chapman’s at Nairne or other Southern Farmers at Murray Bridge and the city, while three long-serving workers retired.

The final production run saw 520 five-kilogram units of cheese leave the line before the factory ceased operations permanently.

Source:

Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

PH-V89-00032
Mt Barker: Southern Farmers dairy cheese factory closes after 50 years. Moments before the closure, cheese makers Phil Cosgrove (left), Mick Kuchel (centre), Albert "Wacka" Daw, Robert Cavies cutting and dressing the cheese before putting it into storage. Date: 1984. Courier Newspaper photograph.

PH-V89-00033
Mt Barker: Southern Farmers dairy cheese factory closes after 50 years. Factory manager Mr. Kevin McCaul inspects batch of circular blocks of cheese in the cold storage room. Date: 1984. Courier Newspaper photograph.

During the 1940s, some Mt Barker families lived in sub-standard housing, including ageing cottages and temporary dwellin...
14/08/2026

During the 1940s, some Mt Barker families lived in sub-standard housing, including ageing cottages and temporary dwellings that lacked modern facilities such as indoor bathrooms, sewerage, reliable water supplies, and adequate living space. Overcrowding and poor building conditions were common during the post-war housing shortage.

Mt Barker's first Housing Trust homes were built on part of Weld Park from 1947. The 34-house estate was designed as a garden suburb, with homes facing open parkland to provide modern, affordable housing for local families.

This marked an important step in improving living conditions and supporting the town's growth.

Source:

Local History Database
https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

Photographs

PH-V7-00012
Mt Barker: Poor condition worker's housing on Cameron Road, opposite the old swimming pool car park. The property has since been demolished. Circa 1946.

PH-V1-00019
Mt Barker: Jack Milligan's house on the corner of McLaren Street and Mill Lane. The house on the right was Kruger Kavanagh's home, now demolished. Circa 1940’s.

Address

5 Dumas Street
Mount Barker, SA
5251

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

83936474

Website

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