History
Clarendon is one of South Australia’s finest historic towns.
On 21 October 1840, Richard Blundell was granted the title to Section 801 Hundred of Noarlunga. This was subsequently subdivided and by 1866 the town was described as a regional centre in the midst of a fine agricultural district, where wheat, peas and potatoes were largely grown.
The built heritage of Clarendon – its winery complex, former police station, shops, institute, churches, hotel, school and houses have been revitalized during the last 20 years. Dating mainly from the late 1850’s to 1870’s, these buildings are constructed of local stone that is mellow and warm in colour.
Much of the town’s early trade was built around local vineyards and around proximity to the Onkaparinga River and a rich farming hinterland. This economy was enhanced when between 1894 and 1896 the Clarendon Weir was constructed. Eventually, the weir was linked to Happy Valley reservoir.
Clarendon was an isolated community. Although only 18 miles from Adelaide, it took those early pioneers three days to negotiate the track by bullock dray. This was particularly inconvenient for the womenfolk who did much of their shopping in Adelaide. Often ladies rose before dawn, completed chores and then trekked across grassland to O’Halloran Hill where they would wait for a coach.
After the day’s shopping they returned from Adelaide to O’Halloran
Hill by coach and then walked back to Clarendon in the darkness carrying
their parcels.
In 1841 the first baby was born in Clarendon. His name was Frederick
Morphett, and he came into the world in a wooden hut situated on the
hill overlooking the present site of the now Historic Hall.
Education in Clarendon commenced shortly after 1850.
The first Kindergarten session was in 1975
