East End
Cultural and
Historical Walk
Proudly bought to you by the
East End Coordination Group
www.eastend.org.au
UNIVERSITIES
ROYAL ADELAID
NORTH TERRACE
NORTH TERRACE
3
6
7
TAVISTOCK LANE
FROME STREET
SYNAGOGUE PLACE
PULTENEY STREET
8
VAUGHAN PLACE
TAVISTOCK LANE
5
RUNDLE STREET
RUNDL
25
4
22
UNION STREET
BENT STREET
PULTENEY STREET
YORK STREET
FROME STREET
1
2
24
GRENFELL STREET
Blue disks within this booklet and on the map
represent Heritage Plaques. They offer great insight
during the East End Cultural and Historical Walk.
1. The Case of the
Wandering Spirit
8. The Freemasons
2. Rundle Lantern
10. Botanic Hotel
and Chambers
3. Synagogue Place
4. Austral Hotel
5. Corner of Frome
and Rundle Street
9. Ayers House
11. Australian Light
Horse Memorial
6. Tavistock Lane
12. P.J. O’Briens/East
Terrace Continental
7. 261 North Terrace
13. Market Regulations
23
DE HOSPITAL
BOTANIC GARDENS
10
11
BOTANIC LANE
VAUGHAN PLACE
EAST TERRACE
PAXTONS WALK
NORTH TERRACE
9
N
12
13
26
RUNDLE STREET
LE STREET
14
15
RYMILL PARK
21
LIBERMAN CLOSE
CHARLICK CIRCUIT
16
EAST TERRACE
VARDON AVENUE
EBENEZER PLACE
20
17
GRENFELL STREET
19
18
X
Hertitage Plaques found along the trail
but not detailed in this booklet.
14. Stag Hotel
15. Vardon Avenue
16. Charlick Circuit
17. Alice in Wonderland
21. Charlick Circuit
Sculptures
22. Union Street
Market Facade
18. Tandanya
23. Crown and
Anchor Hotel
19. Old Exchange Hotel
24. 184 Grenfell Street
20. Adelaide Fruit and
Produce Exchange
25. 229–237 Rundle Street
26. Exeter Hotel
East End Culture and History Walk
This walk showcases the
unique cultural and historical
features of Adelaide’s
famous East End. It takes
approximately 60 minutes to
complete and is suitable for
all fitness levels. There are
many places along the way
to rest, shop, enjoy a coffee or
wine, or even stop for a meal.
Blue disks within this booklet and on the map
represent Heritage Plaques. They offer great insight
during the East End Cultural and Historical Walk.
In the beginning
The East End precinct was originally a self contained
village existing for the East End fruit and vegetable
markets and the people who worked in them from
the 1860’s. Although the majority of traders were
involved in the production and selling of produce,
there were almost 294 other occupations carried out
in the area including umbrella making, taxidermy,
midwifery and letter carrying.
In all other colonies, markets were the responsibility
of the City Corporation. In Adelaide however, this
was not the case. Both the first market, the East
End Market, which began in the 1860’s, and the
Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange opened nearby
in 1903, were set up privately.
The markets closed in 1988 and today the East End
is one of the most vibrant and exciting parts of the
City of Adelaide. The many cafes and restaurants
offer a range of culinary experiences for all tastes and
the al fresco style is inviting and friendly. The precinct
is also well known for its fashion stores ranging from
high end brands to quirky boutiques.
The walk begins on the corner of Rundle Street and
Pulteney Street, just opposite the eastern end of
Rundle Mall.
When walking along Rundle Street between
stops two and four look down at the pavement
for the randomly scattered coins.
1
The Case of the wandering spirit
1
A bronze plaque located on a pylon on the corner
of Pulteney Street and Rundle Street marks the
starting point of this walk. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
(1859–1930), creator of Sherlock Holmes, visited
Adelaide in 1920 and stayed at Gibson’s Grand
Central Hotel which previously occupied this site.
Rundle Lantern
2
The Rundle Lantern was launched on 24 October
2008. It’s 100% green-powered and the light show,
which is on every night from dusk until midnight, is
carbon neutral.
For some interesting facts on Adelaide check out
the information on the pavement on the South side
of Rundle Street just outside Hungry Jacks.
Synagogue Place
Cross the road from Hungry Jacks (to the Target side)
and head east until you come across Synagogue
Place. Hiding behind a 1936 art deco facade on
this street is the former city Synagogue, originally
constructed in 1850 for its congregation, known
as “Beth Israel” or “House for Israel”. By 1871
there were over 300 Jews in Adelaide and
additions to the building in the Italianate style
were built to cater for the growing congregation.
A new facade in an Egyptian style was added
in 1936 with the addition of five shops along
Rundle Street, providing much needed income.
When the congregation moved to new premises
the building took on a new life as a nightclub.
Look up on the wall of the Scout Outdoor
Centre on the eastern side of Synagogue
Place to see the big rock climber.
2
3
Austral Hotel, 187 Rundle Street
4
Continue heading east along Rundle Street until
you meet the corner of Rundle Street and Frome
Road. As you walk, look up at the Malcolm Reid
Building and across the road to the Austral Hotel.
Constructed from east to west from about 1880,
Adelaide’s most distinctive commercial complex of
14 shops and hotel, heading west along Rundle
Street, was built for The South Australian Company.
They were designed by William McMinn who
was architect of the Governor’s former Summer
residence – Marble Hill. The Austral Hotel was a
well known place for illegal betting in the 1950’s.
Look for the large umbrellas, mosaic tables and
mosaic lounge out front. The tables were designed
by the artist, Annabelle Collett, who also designed
the mosaic planter boxes located in the East End.
Corner of Frome and Rundle Street
5
When you get to the corner of Rundle Street and
Frome Road you will notice a large mural on the
wall designed by DJ Driller a well renowned DJ
in Adelaide. In 1990 DJ Driller won the Fringe
Poster competition. Held annually, the Fringe is
one of Adelaide’s most popular art festivals, and
the second largest fringe festival in the world.
2
3
Tavistock Lane
6
Turn left down Frome Road until you come to Tavistock
Lane, a quaint little road on the left. At the end of
the Lane you can observe a rundown building with
Gerard and Goodman’s painted on it. Gerard and
Goodman went on to become Gerard Industries,
which is now better known as Clipsal. This is one
of the state’s biggest manufacturing companies and
the main sponsor of the Clipsal 500 V8 races held
annually in the East End.
261 North Terrace
7
Continue walking north along Frome Street until
you meet North Terrace. Turn left until you come
to 261 North Terrace. This historic home is one
of the few survivors of homes which once graced
North Terrace. See the blue plaque on the home for
more information.
The Freemasons, 254 North Terrace
8
Continue along North Terrace until you reach number
254. The Freemasons is a worldwide society which
arose from a fraternal organisation. Freemasonry
now exists in various forms all over the world, with
a membership estimated at around six million. The
Freemason’s Museum and Library, located within this
building, was first established in 1885 and has been
significantly enlarged over the years. It includes items
such as minute books, jewels, bibles, paintings and
furniture. Turn around and head east back along North
Terrace towards your next stop. Across the road you
will notice UniSA and the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Members of the public are welcome at conducted tours
of the building held most Thursdays at 2pm.
4
Ayers House, 288 North Terrace
9
Historic Ayers House, an elegant bluestone
mansion, is named after its most illustrious resident,
Sir Henry Ayers, who lived here from 1855
until his death in 1897. He was Premier of the
colony several times and a major shareholder
in the Burra Burra Copper Mines – the first
industry to bring prosperity to South Australia.
Ayers House originally began life as a four room
brick structure in 1850. The building was added
to over the following 20 years. The ballroom,
renowned for the wonderful spring in its floor,
which was washed with milk to give it a smooth
surface before the ball, became the centre of social
occasions. The hand painted ceilings and stencilled
woodwork interiors are of national significance.
Opening hours from Tuesday to Friday 10am–4pm
and weekends/public holidays 1pm–4pm. Closed
Mondays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.
12
5
Botanic
Hotel and Chambers,
301–309 North Terrace
10
Keep heading east until you reach the Botanic Hotel
and Chambers. With its widows’ walk along the
top of the hotel this magnificent three storey building
epitomised the Adelaide character of bluestone
Italianate designed buildings. Built as a family hotel
and restaurant in 1876–77 for Richard Vaughn,
the founder of the East End Market, the property
includes the terrace of seven dwellings, known as
Botanic Chambers. Look across the road to see
the entrance to Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens.
Australian Light Horse Obelisk11
AND Memorial HoRse Trough
Look across East Terrace towards the parklands
and you will see an obelisk on the corner.
Unveiled in 1925 this Victorian granite memorial
commemorates the death of South Australian
soldiers who fought in the First World War as
part of the Australian Light Horse, one of the most
spectacular fighting groups of Australian soldiers.
For a closer look, cross the road. Look back
across East Terrace to observe the architecture and
artwork of the East End Hotel before crossing back
to continue walking south along East Terrace.
13
6
P.J. O’Briens/East Terrace Continental, 12
6–14 East Terrace
The East End Hotel was built in 1868 as a one
storey structure with the second storey added in
1875. The hotel was created for the specific use
of the East End Market patrons, particularly the
growers. The shops surrounding the hotel were
damaged by fire in 1926 – a common occurrence
in the history of the buildings in the East End.
Market
Regulations,
East End Market Coy. Ltd. 13
Observe the southern wall inside the old entrance
to the East End market; these were the rules and
regulations for all vendors and market gardeners.
Stag Hotel, 299 Rundle Street
14
Continue south along East Terrace towards the
Stag Hotel. This impressive landmark hotel of
the Queen Anne style, rebuilt in 1903, was first
licensed in 1849. The hotel conveys flamboyancy
with its tiled roof, dormer windows and corner
turret. Up until 1884, the Stag, with its dance
and concert hall to the rear, was an institution.
But when, for the first time concert halls and
theatres were required to be licensed, the Stag
did not meet the new regulations and was closed
down – much to the disgust of the public!
Vardon Avenue
15
If you walk past the Stag and take the first right hand
turn you will notice a stone shed behind the Stag. This
is the remains of the extensive sheds and stables that
surrounded the Stag Hotel.
7
Charlick Circuit
16
Head back along East Terrace, turn right down
Charlick Circuit. About 10 metres down on your left
is a plaque recognising the rookery of buildings you
will walk past on your right heading towards your
next stop.
Alice in Wonderland, Rymill Park
17
A family favourite, the statue of Alice (sculptured by
J. Downie) from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”
is a 5 foot high bronze statue donated by the Lewis
Family in 1962. Once you have left the parklands
cross East Terrace and head down the south side of
Grenfell Street.
Tandanya,
241–259 Grenfell Street 18
This building was originally built in 1921 as a
power station and office for the Adelaide Electric
Supply Company. It is an Edwardian freestyle
building significant for supplying electricity early this
century. Today it is Tandanya – Adelaide’s Aboriginal
Cultural Institution offering year round exhibitions
and events. About 10 metres further west down
Grenfell Street you will come to your next stop.
Visit www.tandanya.com.au for more information.
16
8
Old Exchange Hotel,
19
235 Grenfell Street, formally the Producers
A hotel has been on this site since 1839, making
it the pub with the oldest license on this walk.
Initially it served timber merchants bringing their
timber from the hills to nearby saw mills on Tam
O’Shanter Lane. This hotel, along with the Stag
Hotel, are rare examples of the Queen Anne style.
Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange, 20
Grenfell Street
Across the road from the Old Exchange Hotel was
Adelaide’s private produce market in the north east
corner of the city. The Adelaide Fruit and Produce
Exchange was established to meet the demands
of a growing population that could not be met
by the East End market. The East Terrace and
Grenfell Street buildings were erected in 1903.
For more detail see point 22. Head through the
arch way on Charlick Circuit and follow the path
until you see the Oostende Bar on your left.
17
9
21
Centre of Charlick Circuit Sculptures 21
At the front of the Oostende bar you will notice a
sculpture entitled, The Apron, by artist Karen Genoff.
The work was made as a commemorative piece
to reflect the old East End markets. Central to the
work is a cast bronze reconstruction of one of the
old market aprons, used as a metaphor for ‘the end
of the working day’ and the markets closure. The
docket book in the pocket of the apron contains
the name of one of the families known to have had
the longest running association with the markets.
If you head west past the sculpture towards Union
Street you will pass another sculpture, this time by artist
Owen Broughton. The Adelaide City Council was a
partner with the State Government in commissioning
this artwork in 1976. It was commissioned as part
of Premier Don Dunstan’s concept of a “Gallery
without Walls”. Made out of steel the 10 foot 6 inch
sculpture weighs approximately 390 kilograms.
Owen Broughton’s sculpture lived in Rundle
Mall until 1988 when it was removed to
make way for the new Myer building.
10
22
Union Street Market Facade
22
Head West past the boutique clothing stores until
you reach Union Street. This side of Rundle Street
was the home of the second East End market known
as the Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange. The
Exchange was established in 1903 by William
Charlick (a prominent business man), when it became
apparent that the East End Market could no longer
cope with the demands placed upon it by the
increase in the population of the colony. The two
markets existed side by side until closure in 1988.
Crown and Anchor Hotel,
196 Grenfell Street
23
Head south along Union Street until you reach the
corner of Union and Grenfell Streets, on the corner
you will find your next stop. First licensed in 1853
this hotel was rebuilt, as many early Adelaide hotels
were, in 1880. Further extensions to the west were
added in 1928/29. In 1983 the interior was
remodelled. Turn right on to Grenfell Street to view
the remains of what used to be a boxing ring.
11
184 Grenfell Street,
Former boxing ring 1939–1949
24
A boxing stadium was built behind this building
in 1939 and was the scene of thrilling fights and
disputed decisions for 10 years. Few purpose
built boxing stadiums were built in the city and
bouts were usually held in theatres, dances halls
and the former Exhibition Hall on North Terrace.
In September 1949 it was closed down and
converted for use as market stores. Turn right down
Frome Road and walk towards Rundle Street.
229–237 Rundle Street
25
Built in 1898, the Sym Choon shops were occupied
between 1908 and 1985 by some of the East
End’s most colourful inhabitants – the Sym Choon
family. In 1925/26 Thomas Sym Choon bought
his four children a shop each. One of Thomas’
sons, Gordon, who had a reputation as a “bookie”
in the East End market, traded in peanuts, was
an agent for Wrigley’s chewing gum and sold
fireworks from China and England. Gordon was
referred to in 1946 as being the third biggest
punter in the Commonwealth. Gladys, Gordon’s
sister, was renowned for her eastern exotic shop
that imported luxury goods from China, SE Asia
and Russia. After her shop closed in 1985 her
name was retained by the present fashion house.
For more information read the mirror inside the shop.
12
Exeter Hotel, 246–248 Rundle Street
26
Look diagonally across the road to the Exeter Hotel.
First licensed in 1851 the hotel was rebuilt in 1888
in a Victorian Italianate style. Refurbished in 1929
when the green glass tile was added to the exterior,
the upper story has remained intact. Like other
hotels backing on to the markets it had opening
times to suit the working hours of the marketers.
The Walk finishes here, right in the heart of
Rundle Street. Feel free to wander and enjoy the
shops and many eating facilities.
If you would like to learn more about Adelaide’s East
End please visit www.eastend.org.au or visit the
State Library on North Terrace.
13
This walk was made possible
with the generous assistance of
the Adelaide City Council and
the East End Coordination Group.