History of the Adelaide Central MarketOn Saturday the 23rd of January at about 3:15am a small but noisy procession wound its way from the East End Market towards the Victoria Square environs. To the lively strains of the Concordia Band eight carts laden with produce were driven by market gardeners to a site between Gouger and Grote Streets.
So began the first day of the Adelaide Central Market (then called City Market) back in 1869 in Grote Street on a site without any structure other then a fence and a couple of gas lights.
The official opening, was a year later in 22 January 1870. From this day onwards the Central Market has continued to evolve to be a vital part of the cultural heritage of the city, becoming a Mecca for trading for any merchant, grower, wholesaler or retailer selling directly to the consumer.
Reflecting the heritage and character of the market are the brick remains of the Grote Street facade of 1900 and a group of seven two storey shops in Gouger Street, completed 1906.
Land was bought for the Central Market in September 1867 for a total sum of £2600 for three town acres, (333, 379, 380). It was not until January 1855 before the City Corporation was in a strong enough position to open up the: “City Market” and when opened it was located in King William Street on the “corporation acre”. Trading hours were 6.00am until 8.00pm in a shed 150 x 40ft, containing twenty six stills, however this market was not a success.
Thomas Worshop, later town clerk for the corporation wrote “it was in all respects unsuited for the purpose, and it was soon closed”. But the city still needed a produce market that was conveniently located and roomy. Richard Vaughan quickly provided what was needed, off the then unmade East Terrace between Rundle Street and North Terrace from 1861 this venture went from strength to strength. Vaughan’s position and concept guaranteed him eventual permanency for his private market. From then, until 1988, the East End Market’s importance to the city equalled that of the Central Market.
The corporation then bought the first three town acres since Vaughan’s Market was: “filled to overflowing with gardeners from all quarters“ this prompted the movement of traders to the Central Market location.
When the “Central City Market” opened, it was six months before any structure in the form of wood and iron sheds were constructed and completed in June 1869.
(To read more, please visit the following link provided)
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/CentralMarket/
