Athelstone, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Athelstone is a suburb of Adelaide
in the City of Campbelltown. It was established in the 19th century but has only became part of suburban Adelaide in the second half of the 20th century.
It is approximately 10 km north-east of Adelaide's central business district. The main arterial road, Gorge Road, runs through this suburb in an east-west direction. The River Torrens
, one of Adelaide's major water supplies, borders the suburb. This water source runs its way from Mount Pleasant
to the sea. Gorge Road leads up into the Adelaide Hills
, joining the gorge of the Kangaroo Creek Dam, and the Torrens' source. Fifth Creek (a tributary to the River Torrens) also runs through the suburb as an intermittent stream, prone to flooding in late Spring (Oct-Dec).
Athelstone is bounded by the River Torrens, Black Hill Conservation Park
, Montacute Road, Stradbroke Road, Hamilton Terrace, Schulze Road and River Drive.
Athelstone's name comes from Athelstone house and mill; build circa 1843 to 1845. John Coulls from Helston
in Cornwall
bought the mill in 1845, converting it for grape crushing. He named the buildings At Helstone after his hometown. The mill and house remain, listed as State Heritage Places.
The suburb (lower Athelstone) began as a village along the River Torrens. It was farmed by incoming European migrants. The shopping centre or village centre began from these settlements. Athelstone Post Office opened on 19 March 1863. The Addison family held possession of the land sold to the Jesuits in the 1960s to build Saint Ignatius' College
senior campus around the Upper Athelstone site. Smaller subdivisions have been created. For example, Foxfield Estate in the east, was a development of the Hickinbotham Group during the late 1970s. Other subdevelopments have also occurred.
Land has also been preserved in the process. Wadmore Park, adjoining Athelstone Oval and Black Hill Conservation Park were established as recreational and nature reserves.
Market gardening was a big part of Athelstone's development. Families such as the Tunno family migrated from italy in the 1950's and grew a variety of bunched vegetables on a small acreage for 30 years selling it to various retailers and wholesale markets throughout Adelaide. Much of the produce grown was European in origin such as endive, spinach, chickory, and fennel. As at 1 July 2011 only one market gardener is left in Athelstone located on Maryvale Road.
Some 63% of the population was born in Australia. About 36% of the population speaks other languages. Approximately 40% of the people living in Athelstone have both parents born overseas. More than 13% of Athelstone speaks Italian, over 4% speaks Greek, and just over 2% speaks Chinese.
Athelstone residents work primarily in the retail, manufacturing, health, medical, law, property / business services, education and construction sectors (in descending order) with over 66% of its workers employed in those industries.
The first contemporary housing was built in the area during the 1970s. Many of these styles have emerged as the area still has some market gardening holdings yet to be released as housing allotments. Some blocks have been subdivided for high density housing arrangements.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
in the City of Campbelltown. It was established in the 19th century but has only became part of suburban Adelaide in the second half of the 20th century.
It is approximately 10 km north-east of Adelaide's central business district. The main arterial road, Gorge Road, runs through this suburb in an east-west direction. The River Torrens
River Torrens
The River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the city centre and empties...
, one of Adelaide's major water supplies, borders the suburb. This water source runs its way from Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, South Australia
Mount Pleasant is a town situated at the northern end of the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, 55 kilometres east-north-east of the state capital, Adelaide . It is located in the Barossa Council and Mid Murray Council local government areas, and is at an altitude of 440 metres above sea level...
to the sea. Gorge Road leads up into the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
, joining the gorge of the Kangaroo Creek Dam, and the Torrens' source. Fifth Creek (a tributary to the River Torrens) also runs through the suburb as an intermittent stream, prone to flooding in late Spring (Oct-Dec).
Athelstone is bounded by the River Torrens, Black Hill Conservation Park
Black Hill Conservation Park
Black Hill Conservation Park is a public reserve approximately 10 km northeast of Adelaide, in the state of South Australia, Australia. The park is in a rugged bush environment, with a prominent peak, bounded by steep ridges on the southern slopes...
, Montacute Road, Stradbroke Road, Hamilton Terrace, Schulze Road and River Drive.
History
- See Also: History of AdelaideHistory of AdelaideThis article details the History of Adelaide from the first human activity in the region to the 20th century. Adelaide is a planned city founded in 1836 and the capital of South Australia.-Aboriginal settlement:...
- See Also: European settlement of South Australia
Athelstone's name comes from Athelstone house and mill; build circa 1843 to 1845. John Coulls from Helston
Helston
Helston is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated at the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula approximately 12 miles east of Penzance and nine miles southwest of Falmouth. Helston is the most southerly town in the UK and is around further south than...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
bought the mill in 1845, converting it for grape crushing. He named the buildings At Helstone after his hometown. The mill and house remain, listed as State Heritage Places.
The suburb (lower Athelstone) began as a village along the River Torrens. It was farmed by incoming European migrants. The shopping centre or village centre began from these settlements. Athelstone Post Office opened on 19 March 1863. The Addison family held possession of the land sold to the Jesuits in the 1960s to build Saint Ignatius' College
Saint Ignatius' College, Adelaide
The College has two campuses, the Junior school and Early Childhood Centre in Norwood and the Senior campus in Athelstone.Saint Ignatius' College is part of the international network of Jesuit schools which began in Messina, Sicily in 1548...
senior campus around the Upper Athelstone site. Smaller subdivisions have been created. For example, Foxfield Estate in the east, was a development of the Hickinbotham Group during the late 1970s. Other subdevelopments have also occurred.
Land has also been preserved in the process. Wadmore Park, adjoining Athelstone Oval and Black Hill Conservation Park were established as recreational and nature reserves.
Market gardening was a big part of Athelstone's development. Families such as the Tunno family migrated from italy in the 1950's and grew a variety of bunched vegetables on a small acreage for 30 years selling it to various retailers and wholesale markets throughout Adelaide. Much of the produce grown was European in origin such as endive, spinach, chickory, and fennel. As at 1 July 2011 only one market gardener is left in Athelstone located on Maryvale Road.
Demography
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics link ABS data for 2001 indicates Athelstone's population to be predominantly upper-middle class and totalling just over 9,150 people. There is an even spread of males and females. Over 48% of the population comprises married couples with a skew to the 35-64 year old age range. Less than 15% of the entire population of Athelstone is over 65 years old.Some 63% of the population was born in Australia. About 36% of the population speaks other languages. Approximately 40% of the people living in Athelstone have both parents born overseas. More than 13% of Athelstone speaks Italian, over 4% speaks Greek, and just over 2% speaks Chinese.
Athelstone residents work primarily in the retail, manufacturing, health, medical, law, property / business services, education and construction sectors (in descending order) with over 66% of its workers employed in those industries.
Housing
The predominantly contemporary housing style is echoed throughout the suburb. There have been different stages in the suburb's development. Dwellings from the first half of the twentieth century housing still predominate in some sections of the suburb, with corrugated iron cladding or stone exteriors (mostly Californian bungalows).The first contemporary housing was built in the area during the 1970s. Many of these styles have emerged as the area still has some market gardening holdings yet to be released as housing allotments. Some blocks have been subdivided for high density housing arrangements.