I met a home owner recently who lived in a historic home near the civic area. He remarked that every time he left the house, he felt like he was on a period drama. The amount of beautiful architecture in Gawler is overwhelming. It isn't only one or two monuments; the entire town center is a showcase of colonial design.
If you appreciate buildings, Gawler is paradise. The title 'Athens of the South' wasn't given accidentally. It pointed to the town's cultural and architectural ambitions. When you look at the facades, you see a boldness that the early citizens had. They erected these structures to last forever, and so they have.
Our Town Hall
This building is the main anchor of Murray Street. Dating to 1878, it dominates the town center with its Italianate style. When you stand beneath its clock tower, you feel the significance. It was the heart of community decisions for over a century.
The architecture are worth a study. Observe the stonework. The artistry involved in cutting and laying that stone is gone. Built at a time when industry was peak, and the building declares prosperity. It proved that Gawler was a city in the colony.
These days, it has been revamped and integrated into the modern library complex. The build was a model in mixing stone and steel. Visitors can walk from the original building into a contemporary area seamless. It uses the space rather than leaving it as a relic.
Churches of Gawler
The town view is punctuated by spires. The church on Church Hill is perhaps the most well known. Planned in a Gothic style, it sits proudly on the hill, overlooking the town. Featuring local materials creates a color that glows in the sunset.
Going in is just as beautiful. The windows and timber ceilings create a holy atmosphere. More than a place of worship; it is a community landmark. Locals have been buried here, tying their lives to the physical building.
The other chapels like the Presbyterian Church also feature great stonework. The number of churches in such a small area gave Church Hill its name. Touring the area allows you to compare the varied designs and see how belief expressed itself in building.
Commercial History: Mills and Foundries
Gawler's history isn't only is grand and clean. The industrial buildings are just as significant. The Union Mill on the southern entry to town is a giant structure. Built to process wheat from the plains, it represents the money maker of the town. The size reminds us that Gawler was a industrial hub.
Such buildings have been converted. Sheds are now retail spaces. Recycling buildings is fantastic because it maintains the look while giving the building a new life. Dining in a building that once smelled of coal and iron is a unique experience.
The style is solid. Brickwork were built to take a beating. This robustness gives them a character that new factories completely lack. They ground the town to the soil that built Gawler.
Preserving Our Bluestone Legacy
Local stone is the defining look of Gawler. Quarried nearby, it is tough and beautiful. Yet, care requires special skills. Mortar work must be done with lime, not hard mortar, or the stone will crack.
Owners in Gawler are becoming keepers of this knowledge. Renewed interest in traditional trades. Locals are proud in renovating their front facades to their heritage condition. Looking at the streets, you can see the results of this effort.
Local government play a big role in saving these streetscapes. Laws prevent removal of key buildings. Even if annoying, these rules maintain value. Without them, Gawler would lose the very thing that makes it unique.
McKinlay Memorial