Hilltown, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hilltown South Australia
Soldiers' Memorial Hall, Hilltown
Hilltown Location in South Australia
Established	1866
Postcode(s)	5455
Elevation	348 m (1,142 ft)
LGA(s)	Clare and Gilbert Valley Council
State electorate(s)	Frome
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Localities around Hilltown: Euromina Andrews Leighton Anama Hilltown Gum Creek Bungaree Barinia Hill River

Hilltown is a small place, or 'locality', in South Australia. It's part of the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys. The old town center is on Hilltown Road. This road goes between Andrews and Hill River. Another road, the Harvey Highway, connects Hilltown to RM Williams Way. Hilltown is about 4 kilometers east of RM Williams Way. It used to be on the old Spalding railway line.

The Story of Hilltown

Hilltown started in the 1860s. This was when more people began to settle in the Mid-North region. They wanted to farm grain on their own land. The government planned the town of Hilltown in September 1865. The very first pieces of land were sold in March 1866. The streets in the town were named after important early farmers. These included John Harris Browne and Charles Brown Fisher.

Changes Over Time

People thought about changing the town's name a few times. In 1916, they suggested Yakkalo. In 1926, they suggested Milne. But neither of these names were ever used.

The town once had a railway stop and a primary school. These are now closed. The Riverton-Spalding railway line passed by the town in 1922. The railway station was first called Milne. This name came from the Hundred of Milne. A 'Hundred' is an old way of dividing land. This area was named in 1860 after Sir William Milne, who was a Member of Parliament.

Hilltown's Railway and Post Office

By 1929, the town was getting smaller. The local railway station's name was changed from Milne to Hilltown in 1939. The railway line closed down in 1984. Hilltown also had a Post Office. It opened on January 2, 1914, and closed on April 4, 1985.

A private area called Dudley used to be next to Hilltown. It was on the border of Hilltown and Barinia. Now, this area is part of both Hilltown and Barinia.

What You Can Find in Hilltown Today

The Clare Valley Aerodrome is in the southwest part of Hilltown. It's located where RM Williams Way and Cornwell Road meet. The Hilltown Soldiers' Memorial Hall is still there. People can use it for community events.