Emigration Square

Ellis Park / Tampawardli (Park 24)

Emigration Square Well exploration, City of Adelaide, 2013

Kingston Map 1842

A H Freeling Map 1849

Emigration Square Well exploration, City of Adelaide, 2013

When Adelaide's early settlers arrived in the new colony between 1837 and 1849, they were first housed at a temporary holding facility located in the western Park Lands known as Emigration (sic) Square.

Emigration Square contained about 40 temporary wooden structures imported from England, a rudimentary hospital, dispensary and doctor's quarters.

The site was managed by an Emigration Agent, who was charged with helping new arrivals to find housing and work. By 1849 the site had been closed for new arrivals and for about three years was used as a women's destitute asylum, after which it closed.

In 2010 an old well was discovered, which is thought to be that used by the inhabitants of Emigration Square. An exchange of letters in 1853 between the Town Clerk and the Colonial Secretary point to the existence of the well and the refusal by the Government to fill it in.

City of Adelaide acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.

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