Hampden, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hampden South Australia
Hampden Location in South Australia
Postcode(s)	5374
Location	6 km (4 mi) northwest of Eudunda 9 km (6 mi) south of Point Pass
LGA(s)	Regional Council of Goyder
State electorate(s)	Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Localities around Hampden: Tarnma Julia Eudunda Tarnma Hampden Eudunda Tarnma Buchanan Eudunda
Footnotes	Coordinates

Hampden is a small country area in the Mid North region of South Australia. It is part of the Regional Council of Goyder. This area officially became known as Hampden in August 2000. It was named after William Hampden Dutton. He was the brother of Frederick Dutton, who started the large Anlaby Station nearby.

Early Days of Hampden

Hampden was first settled by Europeans as part of a very large sheep and cattle farm called Anlaby Station. In 1906, this big farm was divided into smaller farms. This allowed more people to move to the area.

Railway and Local Businesses

A railway line, called the Morgan railway line, had been running through Hampden since 1878. In 1909, a special stop for trains, called a siding, was built in Hampden. This made it easier to transport goods and people.

A local store opened in 1911, which was very important for the community. The Hampden Post Office opened in 1912, first called Hampden Siding. It changed its name in 1934 and closed in 1983. A telephone exchange, which helped connect phone calls, started in 1915 and closed in 1982. A woodyard and a blacksmith's shop also opened in 1919. These businesses helped the community grow.

Changes Over Time

Over the years, some of these businesses closed down. The woodyard and blacksmith's shop closed a long time ago. The local store also closed more recently. Passenger trains stopped running through Hampden in 1968. The last freight train, which carried goods, passed through in 1994.

Community Life and Buildings

Hampden became a center for the local community. In 1920, a building for the District Council of Julia opened on the main street. This was where local government decisions were made. It stayed the council's main office until 1932.

Hampden School and Hall

The Hampden School started in the council building on September 1, 1925. In 1932, the building was made bigger. This made it better for both school lessons and community events. The school taught children there until it closed on September 6, 1951.

After the school closed, the building was given to the community in 1954. It became the District Hall. This hall was used for many different gatherings. The Methodist church also held its services in the hall until 1970. Another local group, the Buchanan Agricultural Bureau, also met in the hall.

Sports and Recreation

In 1958, the Hampden Tennis Club opened. This happened after new tennis courts were built next to the hall. In the 2000s, the tennis club rented both the hall and the tennis courts from the Regional Council of Goyder. This helped keep the community active.