Point Pass, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Point PassSouth Australia |
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Main Street of Point Pass, South Australia
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 Point Pass
Location in South Australia
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| Postcode(s) | 5380 | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Regional Council of Goyder | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Stuart | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Grey | ||||||||||||||
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Point Pass is a small town in the Mid North region of South Australia. It is located about 115 kilometres (71 miles) north of Adelaide, the state capital. In 2021, about 123 people lived in Point Pass.
The town has a few important places for its residents. These include a hotel with a social club and a district hall. The hall also has a small post office. There is also a Lutheran church in town. The local sports oval has been turned into a campground. You can also find public BBQ facilities at the Point Pass Standpipe Reserve.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Point Pass is believed to be named after a town in Northern Ireland called Poyntzpass. An Irish immigrant named Mrs Anne Richards likely gave the town its name.
A Look at Point Pass History
The land around Point Pass traditionally belongs to the Ngadjuri people. They are the original owners and custodians of this area.
Early Settlement and Churches
German Lutheran immigrants first settled Point Pass in 1868. The Point Pass Immanuel Lutheran Church opened in 1876. Pastor J.M. Stolz led the church. It was built using local stone and had a golden spire. A special pipe organ, made in the Barossa Valley, was added the same year.
Two years later, a home for the pastor was built. A Lutheran training college, called Immanuel College, started in 1895. In 1913, a large bell from Germany was placed in the church's steeple. The church area also includes the Emmaus Lutheran Cemetery. This church complex is a very important part of the town. It also shows the strong Lutheran heritage of South Australia.
A Lutheran primary school, Emmaus School, opened in Point Pass in 1882. It became a state school in 1891. However, it closed in 1945 when the Eudunda Area School opened. Another Lutheran church, St. Peter's, was built in 1885. It also had a cemetery. This church is no longer used and is now a private home.
Immanuel College moved to North Adelaide in 1927. It is still a private Lutheran high school today. In 1939, the last church services in German were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church. This was due to World War Two starting and feelings against Germans at the time.
Town Life and Businesses
Over the years, Point Pass had many different businesses. These included a blacksmith, a butter factory, and a carpenter. There were also council offices and a hospital. A general store opened in 1876 but closed in 1973. The Point Pass Hotel first opened in 1876 and is still open today. St Mary's Anglican Church opened in 1906 and closed in 2016. It is now a private house. The Point Pass District Hall was built in 1927.
Point Pass used to be a stop on the Robertstown railway line. Trains ran through the town from 1914 until 1990. The Point Pass Speedway was open from 1961 to 1968.
Who Lives in Point Pass?
In 2021, the population of Point Pass was 123 people. Most homes in Point Pass are detached houses. People in Point Pass often own their homes more than the state average. Their rent and mortgage payments are usually lower too.
The main backgrounds of people in Point Pass include Australian, English, German, South Sudanese, and Irish. A higher number of people in Point Pass are Lutheran compared to the rest of the state. This is because of the town's history.
When it comes to education, fewer Point Pass residents have finished college or university. Also, slightly fewer people work compared to the state average. Many people in Point Pass work in community services or as machinery operators and drivers.
Nature and Local Landmarks
The Lavender Federation Trail is a long walking path that goes through Point Pass. There is also a 14-kilometre (8.7-mile) loop trail near Point Pass that is part of this longer trail.
The nearby Gerkie Gap to Webb Gap section of the Heysen Trail goes through the beautiful Tothill Ranges. These ranges are special because they have the largest area of untouched bushland in the region. There are two campsites near Point Pass along this trail: Smith Hill and Webb Gap.
Inspiration Point is a scenic lookout about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of Point Pass. It offers great views. The historic Anlaby Station is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south-west of Point Pass.
Famous People from Point Pass
- Frieda Keysser and Carl Strehlow were missionaries. They helped reduce the number of babies dying in the Northern Territory. They got married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1895.
- Paul Gotthelf Pfeiffer was a poet and tutor. He was born in Point Pass in 1916. He was known for his poem "Spain," which won an award from the University of Adelaide. Pfeiffer also helped start a magazine called Angry Penguins. He passed away in 1945 during World War II.
