Hahndorf

After Mt. Lofty it was follow the GPS along back roads to Hahndorf. Although the 1964 trip did not go there, in 1977 I visited some friends who moved from Sydney to Church Street, Hahndorf. Driving down Church Street did not identify which house they lived in, but some of them were behind trees, and there were many new homes in the street.

Brick and cement archway into park like area, sign

These gardens celebrating the 100 th anniversary of Hahndorf's founding are dedicated thus:

To the memory of
Captain D M Hahn
of the "Zebra"
whose untiring efforts and whose agreement with Messers. Dutton, Finnis & Metcalfe on
Jan 25 th 1839
led to the founding of
HAHNDORF

Bust of man sitting on red topped brick pillar

Captain Dirk Meinertz Hahn
1804 - 1860
Memorial to commemorate the naming of Hahndorf.
Bust donated by Hahndorf Burgermeister
Otto Sames and his wife Anna.

Unveiled by the Lieutenant Governor Sir Condor Laucke K.C.M.G.
15 th Aug 1982

Two storey stone building with small tower, modest garden and black tear drop sculpture on stone support

The Hahndorf Academy was built in 1883 and operated as a private Primary School. Current use is as an art gallery. The sculpture is credited thus:

Angel of Hahndorf
Craig Medson (Australia)
Granite from Black Hill, Walker Flat
2012 Adelaide Hills International Sculpture Symposium

Logo for 1977-2014 comparison

Old shop building, rusty roof, rough finished wood support, signs

The "Leathersmith and Bush Gallery" shop seems to fit the old time atmosphere and European/German heritage of the town. Though the sheep and dog out the front are very Australian.

Dog staring down 2 sheep in front of old shop

The classic sheep dog scene, with the dog staring down the sheep, trying to manage them. Not an easy task with sheep.

Another old Europeans style building, with Chinese resaturant sign

The sign on the front of this building says "1839", though whether that is the date of the building or of the town's origin is not obvious. The building style seems uncharacateristic of the labelled old buildings, which were stone. And it is midly amusing to see a Chinese restaurant in such a European environment. They probably do a roaring trade!

Two lane street, with old trees with some autumn leaves remaining, and old style shops

Looking along the main street of Hahndorf, with the autumn leaves rapidly disappearing.
Logo for 1977-2014 comparison

Small, old one level stone cottage leading straight to footpath

Did this house ever have a "front yard", or was that not done at the time. The plaque above the barrel gives the history:

THIELE'S COTTAGE
Built in 1845 by the first couple married in Hahndorf, JOHANN THIELE (son of Samuel Thiele) and ANNA SCHMIDT.
A large gumtree under which they were married was felled to provide timber for the woodwork.

Long two storey + attic stone building, with front awning and vines growing over it and building side

It seems this building was the centre of commerce in the early days, as explained on a plaque:

WITTWER'S MILL
Miller F. W. WITTWER was the first landholder in 1839. His son erected the first section of this building in 1854.

Further additions followed, housing the quartz crushing equipment, gold saving machinery, wattle bark grinding for the tannery industry, fertiliser manufacturing and later flour making.

Large panda statue, colorfully decorated, in garden

This panda seems to have little connection with the German themed town, however it is in front of a gallery, so has artistic merit, and is certainly attention getting. It's on a trolley, allowing it to be wheeled inside each night, I would suspect.

Metal work novelties - motorcycle and rider shaped to hold a wine bottle

Now this is more Germanic - metal work objets d'art, including the motorcycle whose rider holds the wine bottle. It was tempting...

left arrowMt. Lofty
up arrow Back Up
Goolwaright arrow