Post Office Row - SA 

Morgan Historic Walk
There are many times when making the most of many scenic or historic places, the best way to see them is to venture out on foot. This short, but informative walk will show you many of the historic places and buildings in one of the Riverland’s best kept secrets – Morgan. [Feature Story]

Post Office [0.04km]  
 
This building was built for the PMG (Post Master General, before its name was changed to Australia Post) during 1912/13 with additional work carried out in 1942 by the Department of Works.

Captain Charles Sturt Monument [0.05km]  
 
This monument commemorates the exploration voyage along the Murray River and back in 1830 and later led a Exploration team to Central Australia in 1844 in the hope of finding of what they thought was going to be a vast inland sea, that many early Australian Explorers hoped to find. On both of Sturt's expeditions, he passed the present site of Morgan.

Commercial Hotel [0.07km]  
 
Built in 1878, this Hotel was primarily the working man's Hotel. In the early days of Wharf building, some 60 workers were accommodated here and meals had to be served in 3 sittings.

Terminus Hotel [0.07km]  
 
Built in 1878, this building was originally known as Lambert's Assembly Rooms. Prior to the construction of the Institute, it hosted many a travelling show and social functions. It was also the place of the first meeting place of the District Council of Morgan in 1888.

Postmaster's Residence [0.08km]  
 
This building was built in 1879 and was used as the Post Office and Telegraph Station. One of the main mail runs covered the whole area between Morgan and Renmark.

Former Customs House [0.08km]  
 
Built in 1879, this house still houses the concrete slab of the Customs Officer's safe. In 1880 the premises were converted to a Police Station.

Former Bank of Adelaide Premises [0.08km]  
 
The bank and premises were built in 1909 and were shut down in 1939 during the Great Depression. The premises were at one stage used as an agency for the ANZ Bank in Waikerie. Today they are private residences and used as a B & B.

Lookout [0.11km]  
 
Lookout. From this lookout, you get great views of the Murray River and the Surrounding area.

Railway Refreshment Room [0.13km]  
 
Built in the 1920's to cater for passengers transferring from the train to the bus. The building became known as Pendle's Room's, after Wally Pendle who took over the running of the mail and passenger service, until it was taken over by Stateliner Pty Ltd in 1949. It is estimated that over 400,000 passengers were safely transported by from this site.

Morgan Railway Station [0.14km]  
 
The First Steam Engine ‘Pioneer’ made the first trial run here on the 17th April 1878, and the last train, ‘Duchess of Gloucester’ pulled out 91 years later in November 1969. During its hey day, 6 trains a day used the Morgan to Adelaide Railway Line, to make it the busiest railway line in South Australia.

Old Oil Shed and Railway Platform Cranes [0.15km]  
 
Old Oil Shed and Railway Platform Cranes

Turntable [0.16km]  
 
Was constructed in 1878 to facilitate the turn around of railway engines in the Railway Yard.

The Grand Old Man of the Murray [0.2km]  
 
Captain King was born in Glasgow in 1840 and was an early Pioneer of the Murray River paddleboats. At the age of 25, he built his first boat ‘Moira’ and was followed by the building of ‘Cheviot’, ‘Princess Royal’ and ‘Jupiter’. In 1889 he went int0 partnership and established the River Murray Navigation Co.

Kings Row [0.2km]  
 
Comprises a group of 5 houses, the central house being the former house of Captain Hugh King, referred to as the’ Grand Old Man of the Murray’.

The Wharf [0.2km]  
 
This famous wharf was and still remains one of the most impressive examples of it's kind on the entire Murray River.

Former Butcher and Bakery Shop [0.21km]  
 
Built about 1897, it consisted of a residence, shop, storehouse and old bakehouse. This joint venture enabled the owners to bake during the evening and butchering by day.

Former Shop of James Symons [0.21km]  
 
Built in 1880, the premises were used for various trades including butcher shop, jewellers and soft drink retailer. A huge wooden block on which animals were slaughtered still remains on the premises.

Railway Cottages [0.22km]  
 
Four cottages were erected here about 1879 to house railway employees. As the employees kept goats and the numbers rose alarmingly, the Council stipulated that each employee was only allowed to keep a maximum of five goats and changed an annual registration fee of one shilling per goat (Ten Cents in today's Money).

Landseer's Warehouse [0.23km]  
 
The warehouse was completed on the 18th October 1878, in time for the official opening of the Railway. The Governor and Parliamentary dignitaries were entertained at a large banquet in the store to celebrate the occasion. AH Landseer Ltd was not only the largest merchant in Morgan, but the largest trading and shipping company on the Murray River.

Morgan Institute [0.26km]  
 
The foundation stone for the Institute was laid by Sir Jenkin Coles on Wednesday 7th July 1909 and the official opening Ball was held on Easter Monday 1910.

Sunken Barge and Steamer [0.29km]  
 
Just upstream from the wharf are the rusting remains of barge ‘Crowie’, built in Goolwa in 1911 and sank at its moorings in 1946. A further 200 metres upstream are the remains of the Sternwheeler ‘Corowa’ that was built in 1868 and sank at her moorings in 1946 after being abandoned.

James Bennett Gibbs Cairn [0.3km]  
 
In the 1860's James Gibbs pioneered the Stage Coach route from Kapunda to Morgan, and the stables were located at this site.

The Morgue [0.32km]  
 
Erected in 1886, victims of accidents along the River were taken here by Paddle steamer prior to burial. The cemetery is located off the Burra Road, which was established in 1889, and taken over by council in 1895.

Morgan Ferry Terminus [0.34km]  
 
This cutting down to the River is believed to date back to 1850, when passengers would wind themselves across the river. This was also the site for the first official ferry built in Morgan in 1906. Also at the site is a maker showing the various flood heights. The Morgan Ferry is still the only way still to cross the Murray River, even in 2008.

Powder Magazine [0.35km]  
 
The Powder Magazine that was dug into the side of the cliff in 1881 for the safe storage of explosive.

Trees of Tribute [0.37km]  
 
These trees were planted in 1949 by the RSL in memory of Local Soldiers who died in World War 1. The local school children call this area the ‘Silent Wood’.

Morgan [0.54km]  
 
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Morgan Conservation Park [1.41km]  
 
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Cosy Corner [2.24km]  
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Glen Rufus [4.87km]  
 
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