Victor Harbor High Old Scholars
The Arrival of European Free Settlers on the Southern Coast
In 1837, HMS Victor anchored off Granite Island mid-journey and its Captain named the sheltered waters in the lee of the island Victor Harbor after his ship. It was around this period when two whaling stations were established in the area, one at Rosetta Head (commonly known as The Bluff) and the other near the point opposite Granite Island. The whaling station was managed for some time by Captain John Hart, who later became Premier of South Australia.
The Victor (A model)
The Bluff.
Ridgway William Newland, (1790-1864) a Congregational clergyman from the south of England, led the first true party of settlers to Encounter Bay in July 1839. The group comprised his family, some relations and friends along with several skilled farm workers and their families.
Newland had obtained letters of introduction to Governor George Gawler from Lord Glenelg, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Gawler told Newland that the village of Adelaide was becoming overcrowded, that most of the nearby land had been taken up and splendid land was available at Encounter Bay for only one pound an acre.
Newland took his advice and transported his party to their new home via the Lord Hobart.
Ridgway William Newland
From 1837 until the early 1860's, the area consisted of few substantial buildings, with the main one being the police station which was located on the point of land that leads to the Causeway. A couple of other buildings and structures helped support a whaling industry that was South Australia's first ever export industry. However this was to change from 1863 when bridges were built over the Inman and Hindmarsh Rivers, which then provided easier access to Police Point and the beginning of organised settlement.
It was 1863 when the town of Port Victor was laid out on the shores of Victor Harbor, following the extension of the horse drawn tramway for Goolwa. The horse drawn railway was extended along the Causeway to Granite Island in the mid-1860s to service large American and European clippers.
By the 1880s, 25,000 bales of wool from western New South Wales and Queensland were being paddled down the Murray, freighted by train to Victor Harbor and then shipped to the world. But railways killed the river trade in the 1890s – and Victor Harbor’s history as a holiday destination began.
At this time
Queen Victoria
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1837-1901
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The New York Times Founded
The America's Cup
1854 In London, construction of the Clock Tower (Big Ben) is finished
The Great Exhibition/Crystal Palace
Thousands rush to gold in Australia
1859 Rabbits are brought to Australia
Police Station 1864
Port Victor Newland Church 1870
Crown Hotel 1866
Bank SA 1865
Victor Main Street, 1870
Railway Goods Shed 1870
The town of Port Victor was then laid out on the shores of the harbour as an alternative to the rapidly failing Port Elliot. The horse drawn tram, originating in Goolwa, was then extended from Port Elliot to Port Victor as one of the first pieces of infrastructure to support South Australia's newest port.
It was not long after when the Causeway was finalised. The original pier was built and headed out halfway towards Granite Island. Completed in 1864, it wasn't long before trade and resident demand pushed for its extension to Granite Island along with the construction of the Granite Island Working Jetty, Screwpile Jetty and breakwater.
Rail Line around Victor 1867
Victor Harbor Tramway & Jetty 1867
Causeway 1879
The opening of international trade then demanded the building of a Customs House which was built on Flinders Parade, as well as necessitating the building of large wool stores to dump and store wool that was awaiting shipment. The buildings are still standing, as is the first public toilet in Port Victor situated between the buildings.
Money then started to turn in the town and a bank was required.
The Bank of South Australia opened a branch on Coral Street in 1865, which after several name changes became known as the ANZ Bank. But it appears as though the money didn't stay in the bank for long, with a range of shops popping up alongside the terminus of the railway.
The Railway Precinct continued to grow and saw fruit shops, tea rooms, bakehouses and the former long running Davies Shoe Shop, still open today, during its time as the hub of activity at Port Victor.
Another key attracter for money was hotels, and Port Victor was not shy with these. The Crown was the first in 1865, followed by the Hotel Victor whose early days was spent as a boarding house for maritime workers.
The Grosvenor was late on the scene in 1897, and today, of the three hotels, it retains the closest resemblance to its early life.
The growth of the port saw a growth in visitor numbers thus necessitating the establishment of more accommodation options.
The first large guest house was built in 1876 and known as Gertymore before becoming the Strathmore. The building in Crozier Road has been renovated several times and is now known as Smugglers Inn.
