Histroy of Glenelg-The BeacHouse

History of Glenelg

Located in the premier seaside suburb of Glenelg, The Beachouse is just a 20-minute tram ride or drive from the city centre and is situated between the Glenelg foreshore and Colley Terrace.

The City of Holdfast Bay was formed out of the amalgamation of the City Councils of Brighton and Glenelg in 1997. Both townships had been established on Kaurna land. Glenelg became a municipality in 1855 and Brighton in 1858.

(Picture) Glenelg - 1837 Glenelg History of Ge

Glenelg saw the first settlers arrive in 1836 and was where the Proclamation was read on 28 December 1836. The town was named after Lord Glenelg by Governor Hindmarsh. From a settlement in that started in tents and prefabricated huts, it developed into South Australia's premier seaside resort with substantial mansions built predominantly along the waterfront. Many amusement facilities were also developed. The first railway came to Glenelg in 1865 and stopped much where the tram now stops on Moseley Square, in front of the original jetty built in 1859. This jetty was replaced by the present shorter jetty in 1968 after the wreck of the old jetty in 1948. Jetty Road developed into the main shopping area.

Kingston Historic House (c1840) is the oldest historic building open to the public in the City of Holdfast Bay and was originally the Marino Inn built on land belonging to George Strickland Kingston. In 1851 Kingston took over the building and enlarged it to become the summer residence for his large family. Kingston came out on the Cygnet as Deputy Surveyor to Colonel Light. He was an architect and designed many of the early colonial buildings. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council of the South Australian Parliament for 29 years. He died in aboard the RMS Malwa on his way to India in 1880 and was buried at sea off the Celonese coast. His son Charles Cameron Kingston became Premier of South Australia in 1893. He was elected to the first Federal Parliament in 1901 and had assisted with the drafting of the Australian Constitution. When Charles died in 1908, his wife Lucy remained at Kingston house until her death in 1919.

Kingston Historic House, Cameron Avenue, Kingston Park is open to the public from 2.30pm-4.30pm or by request and serves Devonshire teas from the first Sunday in March until the last Sunday in November.

The Glenelg Town Hall. This was first the Glenelg Institute. The foundation stone was laid by Sir Henry Ayers on 11 December 1875 and was opened as an Institute on 19 October, 1877. It became Glenelg's Town Hall in 1887.

With the amalgamation of the City of Brighton and the City of Glenelg, Holdfast Bay Council continued to meet in the Old Glenelg Town Hall but the administration section was moved to the old Brighton Town Hall. In 2000 the Glenelg Town hall became the home of the Bay Discovery Centre.

Partridge House, 38, Partridge Street is a Tudor style house built in 1899 for Mrs Elinor Varley. It was bought by the Glenelg Council in 1971 after it was threatened with demolition. It is now used as a recreational area for the community and visitors.

Ringwood House, 14 Jetty Road Brighton was built in 1924 for Dr Matthew Goode and at the time was one of the most expensive houses built. Its original name was Taparrie but the name was changed to Ringwood when new owners turned it into a nursing home after World War 2. The City of Brighton bought it in 1975 and today it houses the Holdfast Bay History Centre (which looks after the City of Holdfast Bay's extensive historical collection), HACC Community Services and Lifelinks as well as community groups such as the Brighton Historical Society.

There are other prominent mansions within the City of Holdfast Bay but unfortunately they are not open to the public. There are also many other buildings and places of interest in the area. Historic walk guides have been developed by the Holdfast Bay History Centre which may be obtained from the Holdfast Bay History Centre, the Bay Discovery Centre and the City of Holdfast Bay libraries.

History of The BeacHouse