HARCOURT GARDENS

Harcourt Gardens was another suburb that 'moved' around. 

January 1918 is the first time I can find  the name for land and it is for the sale of 80 acres.  It is said to be within a half a mile of 3 train stations and situated facing a 'main road'. It is advertised as eminently suitable for market gardens and fruit blocks.   An advertisement in 1921 describes the land as the finest offered on Marion Road.  More land sales and in 1922 says it is only 150 yards from Brighton Station on the Glenelg Rail line, and the same distance to Pengelley's factory.

By 1925 the water and electricity was being installed, and there were four bungalows already for sale.  The advertisement in the Register 14.5.1925, says '..handsome  stone pillars adorn the verandahs....'

 Harcourt Gardens was land between  Towers Terrace, Marion Road and including Stuart Rd.  When advertising, they spoke of the Soldiers Memorial Grounds being in Harcourt Gardens, and  there were already 10 acres supporting such grounds.   The Memorial grounds, although Edwardstown sports,  is part of South Plympton from Wood Street on the side of the oval complex to Cross Rds and further on.   Below is a wonderful old picture found on Trove newspapers  1948 National Library , of Harcourt Gardens - still so country.    People were often very liberal with their addresses.  They put down the suburb they wanted it to be  - it must have been a bit difficult for new postmen.

Harcourt Gardens Bus Co.   Now Adelaide Coachlines, Dumbarton Avenue, Edwardstown.




This company was started by Mr Hill, the husband of Miss Irene Quinsey.   This gentleman was an accountant who saw a need for a bus route in this area.     Mr and Mrs Hill bought the land and house which are still in use today by the company and the Quinsey family.   Adelaide Coachlines are situated in Dumbarton Avenue, Edwardstown, just off  Towers Terrace opposite the reserve. 

Harcourt Gardens Kindergarten.      Built in the late 1950s when the 'baby boom' was in full swing, and many schools and kindergartens were being built to keep up with the no of children needing places.  Flat roof - new architectural styles - mid century modern -a far cry from the bungalow styles of the previous generations.  Many of these wonderful buildings still abound in our areas.    

 Around the Edwardstown, South Plympton, Ascot Park areas after WW2, there was much building by individuals, and the State Bank houses gave people a home of their own, especially those who had returned from the war. SAHT was probably the biggest builder of all.  Now in 2019 sahousing is demolishing all the buildings and replacing them with box like structures.  
Businesses were booming too - South Australian was a big industrial place as Sir Thomas Playford - our Premier from 1938 to 1965 worked to ensure business came to South Australia.  His tenure as premier of the State was a time when the growth of population and its economic growth was unmatched by any of the other states of Australia.  
Today, this building is now the Rotary Club used book store. on the corner of Towers Terrace and Aberfeldy Avenue Edwardstown. 
The mosaic tile at head of post was made by "Nanna Cay" and is in the garden of the Rotary store.   

 There are more mosaic tiles  made by the children of the kindi, decorating the  path in nearby  Dumbarton Avenue reserve. 

  
"Nanna Cay" - Cay Doorne with her award from the Marion Council for volunteering at the Harcourt Gardens Kindi.    She continues volunteering today, but in the new pre-school at  Forbes School, Thomas Street, South Plympton.