Stepney, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stepney Adelaide, South Australia
The Avenues shopping centre in Stepney
Established	1850
Postcode(s)	5069
Area	0.6 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s)	City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters
State electorate(s)	Dunstan
Federal Division(s)	Sturt
Suburbs around Stepney: St Peters St Peters Evandale College Park Stepney Maylands Kent Town Norwood Norwood

Stepney is a small suburb located very close to the city of Adelaide in South Australia. It's part of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters area. Stepney is a busy place with many different businesses. You can find shops, factories, and offices here.

For a long time, Stepney was known for its smaller houses. Many people who worked in local industries lived here. Today, Stepney is home to many light industries. Some streets have changed from homes to businesses. This means fewer people live on those streets now.

Stepney's Past: A Look at History

How Stepney Got Its Name

Stepney was named after a place in London, England. George Muller, who came from that London area, created the "Village of Stepney" in 1850. He bought a piece of land and started building. Muller also built the famous Maid and Magpie Hotel.

Early on, Stepney had some challenges. But it also saw German settlers arrive. They built schools for their children. Famous people like artist Hans Heysen and optician Carl Laubman came from this community. In 2008, some old cottages built by a German settler were almost torn down. But people fought to save them, and they are still there today.

The 1800s in Stepney

Even with its simple beginnings, Stepney played an important role. In 1851, a group called the South Australian Ballot Association started here. At the Maid and Magpie Hotel, they pushed for the secret ballot. This idea was very important for South Australia's democratic system. Miners returning from the gold rushes helped build many homes and businesses in Adelaide, including some in Stepney.

In the early 1860s, Stepney was a bit wild. Some colorful characters roamed the area. One was called Captain Moonlight, but he wasn't the famous bushranger. This Captain Moonlight was a local who used a camouflaged pipe-case to pretend he had a gun. After getting caught, he became a respected person.

Another character was Captain Thunderbolt. He was said to act like Robin Hood. One story tells of him stopping a carpenter. When he saw the man was poor, he let him go. These stories show how the area was seen as a bit lawless back then.

By the 1870s, many houses in Stepney were small. They had tiny backyards and no proper drainage. But the people living there were strong and resilient. Around this time, some industries moved to Stepney. They liked being close to the city and having better transport. In 1888, the Phoenix Distillery became Tolley, Scott and Tolley. This company grew to be Australia's top brandy maker.

Toward the end of the 1800s, a very young Hans Heysen lived and went to school in Stepney. He later became a famous artist. He was even knighted for his contributions to art.

Stepney in the 1900s

Stepney kept growing. More houses were built, especially closer to Maylands. But then World War I started. Many soldiers from Stepney joined the army. This was a large number for such a small suburb.

After World War II, Stepney changed again. Many refugees from Europe moved in. Shops started selling new foods like salami and artichokes. People planted vegetables in their small front gardens instead of just flowers. More children lived there, and they played in the local creek and empty lots. Houses were painted in bright colors, like those in Greece and Italy. The streets were filled with the sounds of Italian, Greek, and German.

However, this increase in residents was temporary. As future generations became more successful, they moved away. Their houses were then bought by businesses that wanted to be close to the city. Some houses were even removed to make way for wider roads.

Stepney's Location and Layout

Stepney is shaped by its main roads. Payneham Road forms its north-west side. This road connects Adelaide city to suburbs like Payneham and Felixstow. Magill Road is the southern boundary. It links the city center to places like Kensington Park and Magill. Frederick Street is on the eastern side.

Nelson Street runs through Stepney, dividing it into two main parts. Nelson Street also helps connect the eastern and northern suburbs. It links to the Stephen Terrace bridge between St Peters and Gilberton.

Generally, the area east of Nelson Street has larger properties. The area to the west of Nelson Street has smaller properties. This western part is also where most of the industries are located.

Land Use in Stepney

Stepney has both homes and businesses. The western side of Nelson Street is mostly industrial. The eastern side of Nelson Street is still mainly residential, meaning people live there.

In 2007, a report about rent prices showed Stepney was a good place to live. It was listed as one of the more affordable suburbs for rent.

Stepney's Weather

Stepney is next to Kent Town, where weather records are kept. Stepney has a mild climate. Summers are usually hot and dry. Winters are cool and wet.

Important Places in Stepney

• The most famous landmark is the junction where Magill Road, Payneham Road, North Terrace, Fullarton Road, and Baliol Street all meet. This spot is named after the Maid and Magpie Hotel.
• The historic Maid and Magpie Hotel is a very old building. It is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register, meaning it's protected for its historical importance.
• The Avenues Shopping Centre is a major shopping spot. It's located at the corner of Payneham Road and Nelson Street.

Getting Around Stepney: Transport

Stepney is close to the city and has major roads. This means it has excellent bus services. Some bus routes include:

• 102: City to Rostrevor via Magill Road and back.
• 104: City to Paradise Interchange via Magill Road and back.
• 105: City to Newton via Magill Road and back.
• 106: City to Magill via Magill Road and back.
• 174: City to Paradise Interchange via Payneham Road, Lower North East Road and back.
• 175: Glynde to City via Payneham Road.
• 177: City to Paradise Interchange via Payneham Road, Newton Road and back.
• 178: City to Paradise Interchange via Payneham Road, Montacute Road and back.
• 179: City to Athelstone via Payneham Road, Montacute Road and back.
• 291: City to Marden via Sixth Avenue and back.

Community Help in Stepney

Stepney has a history of people helping each other. There are formal and informal groups that offer support. Here are some groups that serve the local community today:

• The Community Lunch Program: Held at the Perriam Community Centre on Cornish Street. It happens every two weeks on a Monday at noon.
• Door-to-door transport: This service takes people to and from local shopping centers. Pickups start at 9 am on Wednesdays to the Avenues Shopping Centre.
• The Perriam Centre and St Peters Youth Centre: Both are located on Cornish Street, Stepney.
• The St Peters Childcare Centre: Located at 42–44 Henry Street, Stepney.
• The St Peters Fair: This event combines national Harmony Day celebrations. It's held at the Linde Reserve / Dunstone Grove, Stepney.
• The Women's Community Centre (64 Nelson Street): Started in 1977, this center helps women in the community. It especially supports those who might feel isolated, have language barriers, or find it hard to join community activities.

Schools in Stepney

Stepney has been home to several schools over the years. Today, only the Agnes Goode Kindergarten remains. It's a reminder of past schools and honors Agnes Goode, a former politician and social activist.

Early records mention schools for German settlers in Stepney. In 1855, a school run by M. A. Moody had 34 students. In the late 1890s, King's Grammar School and Somersal House School were in Stepney, but they no longer exist. St Joseph's Catholic School was also located here for a time after World War II.

Agnes Goode Kindergarten is located on Cornish Street.

Famous People from Stepney

Many interesting people have lived in or were born in Stepney:

• Thomas Boutflower Bennett (1808–1894): A teacher at important schools like Adelaide Educational Institution and St. Peter's College.
• Edgar Rowland Dawes (1902–1973): A trade union leader and a member of parliament for the Sturt area.
• Basil Hadley (1975–2006): An artist who lived most of his life in Stepney.
• Lawrence Stanley Jackson (1884–1974): A taxation commissioner.
• Carl Laubman (1878–1958): An optician and inventor. He co-founded the well-known company Laubman & Pank.
• Agnes Robertson Robertson (1882–1968): A schoolteacher and politician.
• Adolf John Schulz (1883–1956): An educationalist.
• James Simri Sellar (1830–1906): A tea merchant and politician who lived and worked in Stepney.
• Wally Shiers (Sergeant): A mechanic on the famous England to Australia flight in 1919. He was part of Ross and Keith Smith's prize-winning flight from London.
• Norman Theodore Stoate (1895–1979): A forester.