Forest Range, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest RangeSouth Australia |
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Orchards near Forest Range
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 Forest Range
Location in South Australia
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| Established | 1854 |
| Postcode(s) | 5139 |
| Elevation | 473 m (1,552 ft) |
| Location | 19 km (12 mi) from Adelaide |
| LGA(s) | Adelaide Hills Council |
| State electorate(s) | Morialta |
| Federal Division(s) | Mayo |
Forest Range is a small town located in the beautiful Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. It's known for its lovely orchards and interesting past.
Contents
A Look Back: Forest Range's History
Forest Range began as a place where people cut down trees for timber. These early settlers were called timber sawyers. They mainly cut down stringybark trees to get wood and make charcoal.
Gold Fever in the Hills
In 1854, a small "gold rush" happened in Forest Range. This meant many people came hoping to find gold. A bigger gold rush happened in the 1880s. During these times, gold-seekers found over 6,000 ounces of gold!
From Timber to Fruit Farms
As the land was cleared of trees, people started using it for farming. At first, they grew many different fruits and vegetables for local use or to sell in Adelaide.
In the 1900s, farming became more specialized. Apples, pears, and cherries became the main crops. The Forest Range Fruitgrowers' Co-Operative Society was a big place for packing and storing apples. Later, it joined with the Lenswood Cold Store nearby in the 1950s.
Changing Town, Lasting Memories
Over time, many of the original businesses and community buildings in Forest Range disappeared. These included hotels, timber mills, shops, and churches.
Today, the Forest Range Hall (at the oval) and the Forest Range Post Office are the main community buildings left. You can also see many orchard sheds and private cold storage buildings. There is a community park on Lobethal Road and two war memorials at the Central Recreation Ground. These memorials honor those who served in the world wars.
What's in Forest Range Today?
Forest Range has a few important community spots for everyone to enjoy.
- The James Shea Memorial Oval (also known as Forest Range Oval)
- The Central Recreation Park (which used to be called Common Ground)
