Peterborough is a town in the mid north of South Australia, in wheat country, just off the Barrier Highway.
Peterborough is a town in the mid north of South Australia, in wheat country, just off the Barrier Highway. At the 2016 census, Peterborough had a population of 1,419. It was originally named Petersburg after the landowner, Peter Doecke, who sold land to create the town. It was one of 69 places in South Australia renamed in 1917 due to anti-German sentiments during World War I.
History
The first settlers in the area purchased land from the government in 1875. The first building in the town was constructed four years later. Settler Peter Doecke transferred his land to J H Koch in 1876, who found out in 1880 that the land would be the site of a railway junction. He subdivided it and sold 33 acres (13 ha) for £1700, after failing to get £500 per acre for it in 1879. By 1880 a hotel and post office had been erected, followed by a school in 1883, and a town hall in 1884.
At the prompting of mayor W. Thredgold, a newspaper, the Petersburg Times was founded in 1887 by Robert M. Osborne, became The Times and Northern Advertiser in 1919, under the longterm proprietorship of W. H. Bennett and survived as a family business until 1970.
Heritage s
Peterborough has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
14 Bourke Street: Koch House
2 Callary Street: Bishop's Palace and Convent, Peterborough
2 Jervois Street: Peterborough Police Station, Cells and Courthouse
77-79 Kitchener Street: Peterborough Power Station
Main Street: Peterborough Rotunda
105-107 Main Street: General Store, Peterborough
106 Main Street Peterborough YMCA Hostel
108 Main Street: Peterborough Town Hall
193-195 Main Street: Peterborough Hotel
227-231 Main Street: Capitol Theatre, Peterborough
Railway Terrace: Peterborough Roundhouse and Turntable
Tripney Avenue: Peterborough Gold Battery and Office
Weather
Things to do