Clovelly Park, South Australia - History

History

The original inhabitants of the area, the Kaurna, lived mainly along the Sturt River which passes several hundred metres to the south of the suburbs southern boundary, Sturt Road. Richard Hamilton, whose family went on to become major wine producers in the state, planted the first vineyard in the area in 1838, just two years after the colony of South Australia was founded. Settlers followed, planting vineyards, market gardens and almond orchards around the banks of the river and the creeks further north in what was later to become Clovelly Park.

Clovelly Park is situated on former Viaduct and Watts Creek. Following World War II, Clovelly Park was opened up for limited housing and the bitumising of roads began. Prior to widespread development in the mid 1950s, Clovelly Park remained a farming and agricultural region with a large number of vinyards and almond orchards. In 1955, Chrysler Australia purchased 71 hectares (180 acres) of land in Clovelly Park and built a car assembly plant which was opened in 1964, and was, at the time, the largest such operation under one roof in the southern hemisphere.

The Clovelly Park Post Office opened on 15 November 1950 and was renamed St Marys in 1967.

During the 1960s, urban encroachment by the city of Adelaide enabled developers to build on the remaining farms, many bankrupted by rising land taxes and council rates. Created was a small semi-town very similar to that of modern day Sellicks Beach or McLaren Vale. The late 1960s saw Clovelly Park and most other suburbs of Marion turn into a 'family friendly' establishment due to the introduction of parks, reserves, and in the 1970s, playgrounds. This establishment although toned down, stands today.

During the 1980s, Clovelly Park opened its doors to a more retail scene, with the opening or upgrading of a few major shopping centres in surrounding suburbs. Today, Clovelly Park has lost most of its countryside charm but is still regarded as a safe family friendly neighbourhood.