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Light’s Vision Adelaide has the benefit of having its layout planned before any construction commenced. The credit for the City’s design belongs to Colonel William Light who could be considered Adelaide’s first practising engineer. His survey started from the north-west corner of the City on 11 January 1837 [W14]. Light’s statue [W6] overlooks Adelaide from Montefiore Hill; he is buried in the city square which bears his name. With the streets planned and fixed on paper, buildings of local brick and stone soon appeared, giving the City a substantial appearance from its earliest days. Many of these are still standing today. Now that Adelaide’s streets are lined with retail and commercial enterprises and a growing residential sector, it’s hard to imagine that manufacturing and heavy industry once shared the streets and squares. For many years, however, everything the settlers needed was concentrated in the City of Adelaide – foundries, factories and fellmongers were established next to homes, shops and offices. The red fumes and fires of the furnaces would have been visible to the city dwellers – it must have been a fascinating place. We’re sure you’ll find it still is!
Credits & Acknowledgements Compiled and written by Richard Venus ©2009 With the assistance of Bill Stacy, Deane Kemp, and Nigel Ridgway Designed and illustrated by Digital Ink Our thanks to: The City of Adelaide and Lord Mayor Michael Harbison, Adelaide City Council Archives, State Library of South Australia, SA Water, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Robert Bock, John and Alison Painter, Brian Samuels, Sarah Laurence, Dr Alan Holgate, Chris Johnston, Oxigen, The Tramway Museum St Kilda, Dr John Radcliffe, Peter Brinkworth, Ron Stewien, Geoff Sandford, Ian Greig, Colin Deed Permission to publish photographs is gratefully acknowledged; sources are shown alongside each picture SLSA – State Library of South Australia; ACC – Adelaide City Council Archives Published by Engineers Australia (SA Division) 11 Bagot Street, North Adelaide SA 5006 First edition, November 2009 Front cover: Portion of an engraving from The Illustrated Adelaide News, July 1876 Engineering a City
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