About our town
A Tapestry Woven with History and Heritage
Nestled amidst the rolling landscapes of South Australia, Snowtown traces its roots back to ancient times, originally inhabited by the Kaurna Aboriginal people whose rich culture infused the land with stories and traditions. European pioneers arrived between 1867 and 1869, drawn by promises of fertile soil and a promising future. It wasn’t until 1869, under the gaze of an emerging government, that plans took shape to establish towns and cultivate the district’s untamed potential.
Birth of a Township
In a moment etched in history, Snowtown was formally proclaimed by Governor William Jervois in 1878, christened in honour of Thomas Snow, whose legacy would forever intertwine with the town’s destiny. A pivotal railway station emerged in 1879 along the Brinkworth-Wallaroo line, breathing life into Snowtown’s veins of commerce and connectivity.
Renewal and Innovation
As Snowtown celebrated its 135th birthday in 2013, a beacon of hope rose on the horizon with the inauguration of Stage 2 of the Snowtown Wind Farm. Symbolising progress and sustainability, this monumental project marked a new chapter in Snowtown’s legacy, capable of powering 10% of South Australia’s electricity needs and heralding a future where innovation meets responsibility.
Embrace Tomorrow
As Snowtown looks to the horizon, its spirit remains unwavering. Guided by a commitment to preserve its heritage while embracing opportunities for growth, Snowtown stands as a testament to the enduring strength of community. With each sunrise, the town continues to write its story, a tale of resilience, renewal, and the enduring spirit of Snowtown.
Legacy and Landmarks
The heartbeat of Snowtown resonates through its architectural landmarks, each telling a tale of endurance and community spirit. In 1879, the original Snowtown Hotel stood as a beacon of hospitality, welcoming travellers with warmth amid the rugged charm of pioneer life. The grandeur of the Snowtown Institute, erected in 1889, stands as a testament to the town’s dedication to education and enlightenment.
A Chronicle of Adversity and Triumph
In 1919, amidst echoes of wartime sacrifice, the Memorial Hall rose to honour local heroes, its halls echoing with the resilience of a community forged in unity. Yet, Snowtown’s narrative took a sombre turn in 1999 when the town became synonymous with tragedy as the site of Australia’s largest serial killing. The discovery of eight bodies in a disused bank building shocked the nation, a stark contrast to Snowtown’s peaceful facade. In 2011, the haunting tale was immortalised in the film “Snowtown,” a poignant reminder of the town’s journey through darkness to find light.
Plan Your Journey
Today, Snowtown invites you to unravel its tapestry of history and community spirit. Wander along Fourth Street’s timeless streetscape, where Victorian-era facades whisper stories of resilience and renewal. Explore the serene shores of Bumbunga Lake, where nature’s palette paints the landscape in hues of pink, a testament to the harmony between land and sky.
Historic events
The Kumangka Story
Snowtown sits on Kaurna land and we acknowledge their ownership over many years.
The Kumangka project which in Kaurna language means “meeting place” or “together”, aims to bring people, knowledge and landscape together.
The project is about beautifying Snowtown’s northern Park Lands and to make people feel good about entering our town and making them wanting to stay here.
The Kumangka project is situated on 3 pieces of Park Lands and all have different objectives.
The first Park land closest to the Snowtown Primary School is being planted with 100 trees a year of different native plant species and eventually the aim is to plant down all this area to the east of the town including the old animal enclosures. This is a long-term project to give the students from the SPS an opportunity to understand the variety we have in native plants.
The second Park Land was used as a lease block for horses to graze and over time had become infested with weeds. This project area is firstly to been sown down with Perennial Native Grasses. Snowtown has been built on a grassy plain with very few trees, that’s why the European settlers would have picked the area because there were no trees to clear. There are about 9 main species of Perennial Native Grasses that grow here and we are aiming to get them planted in this Park Land and at the same time controlling the weeds so a few trees and shrubs can be planted in sections and these will depict the various ecosystems of the district.
The third Park Land which is on the northern entrance coming into Snowtown off the Augusta Highway is going to be planted down with as many of the native plants that have been identified growing in the district. We will start by planting 50 native plant species that have or are growing in our district. The trees will be planted into 15 blocks with a mix of plants from the Eucalypts through to small understory plants to show the variety that we have.
These sections of Park Lands will then be linked with a walking trail and interpretive signs to tell the story of the importance to the environment of the different plants, how the First Nations people have used these plants and how important they were to them and now what we are doing locally to protect the environment we have left.
These projects are being funded by Tilt (Lend-a Hand), Snowtown Progress Association and Northern and Yorke Landscape Board plus in-kind support from the local residence.