State Library of South Australia

Adelaide View [B 7164/3] • Photograph

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Summary

Looking north-west from the corner of King William and Waymouth Streets. The Topham Street Military Barracks and quadrangle can be seen between the J. Colton and the Adelaide Boot Factory, which were used by British Regiments stationed in Adelaide between 1851-1867. R.G. Bowen offered the Government the land and premises to be converted into the barracks when the lease of the Flinders Street Brracks was due to expire. Bowen's plan showed a Barrack Room which would run the whole length and width. It would be a two storey building with 18 inch thick walls, a roof cornered with slate. The upper Barrack Room would be ceiled with lathe and plaster ceiling to the rafters and properly ventilated and to be 9 feet in height from floor to top of wall. A strong plough and tong'd floor to be laid with substantial joist and supported also through the centre by one row of columns from the Tower Barrack Room. The lower Barrack room was to be 10 feet in height, wooden floors, one thong flight of gum wood stairs leading to the upper floor. Each room would be fitted with the necessary conveniences for the soldiers and shelves throughout. Cellars, cook house, hospital and a range of apartments on the west side of the Barracks. Whole barracks were to be enclosed by a strong wall not less than 6 feet 6 inches. Three room cottages with shed and at the entrance of the Barracks Yard to be used for the Officers Quarters. The Barracks were completed in April 1851 and leased to the Commissariat for three years. The troops taking possession on Monday 14 April under the Command of Capt. Moore of 11th. It was said in the S.A. Register 14/4/1851 p2 "The buildings occupy an enclosed square, the entrance to which is from Topham Street. The main barrack is roomy, substantial stone erection, 20 ft high and 80 feet in length, with cells for prisoners, and store rooms underneath. The different offices and apartments for the married couples occupy two other sides of the square, leaving vacant a considerable space of ground as a yard. The accommodation was calculated for 100 men but generally only 65 men were billeted in the period". The British Regiments rotated through the Adelaide, 2nd /40th a foot, A Company, the 11th a foot and 1/12th a foot and 2nd/14th a foot were billeted at Topham Place at least until 1867 with the arrival of 1/50th a foot when the old Police Barracks at the rear of the Destitute Asylum was refurbished as barracks

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Physical description

Photograph (B&W copy print); 14.7 cm x 21.1 cm

Dates / Publication details

1875

Collections

Part of Adelaide Views Collection
Part of A Collection

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

Digitisation information

Date

10/10/2005

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

3,097 x 2,156 pixels (6.7 MP)

Size

6.70 MB

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