Adelaide CBD Tour 2

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. Light’s statue 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!