Langhorne Creek Local History
Langhorne Creek is a rural town located in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia, about 70 kilometres southeast of Adelaide. The town is known for its picturesque vineyards, charming Bed and Breakfast accommodations and strategic location along the Bremer River.
But Langhorne Creek has a rich history beyond its idyllic façade. The town was named after a British politician, Charles Brinsley Marlay, who was known by the name "Langhorne" due to his Scottish roots. Marlay was the cousin of Lord Alfred Tennyson, the famous poet who authored "The Charge of the Light Brigade".
1,500 years before Marlay, the Ngarrindjeri Indigenous people used to roam the Langhorne Creek area. The Ngarrindjeri people are known for their unique language and culture, as well as their dependence on the rivers, which provided them with fish, waterfowl and other valuable resources. Today, the Ngarrindjeri people maintain their connection to the land through cultural practices and programs.
The first European settler to arrive in Langhorne Creek was a Scottish immigrant named William Macintosh, who sailed into Lake Alexandrina in 1840. Macintosh quickly became enamored with the area and decided to settle down in the Bremer River valley. He established a sheep station and became involved in the development of the town's water supply system and other infrastructure.
Langhorne Creek continued to thrive as a farming and grazing community throughout the 19th century. In the mid-1870s, the area's first vineyards were established, marking the beginning of what would become one of the region's largest industries. The town's vineyards and wineries continue to operate today, with some of them being owned by multi-generational families that have been committed to the town for many years.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, the town experienced a decline in population and economic activity due to a combination of factors such as drought, the Great Depression and World War II. But in the mid-1960s, Langhorne Creek experienced a resurgence as a tourist destination, thanks to its natural beauty and proximity to Adelaide.
Today, Langhorne Creek is a thriving community with a population of around 500 people. The town has a diverse economy that includes grape growing, winemaking, tourism, and agriculture.
Visitors to Langhorne Creek can learn more about the town's history by visiting the Bremer Institute of TAFE, which has a campus in the town. The Institute offers courses on viticulture, winemaking and other aspects of the local economy.
Langhorne Creek is a testimony to the power of human resilience and continuity. Its multicultural history sheds light on the important times and figures that have shaped the town, from the pre-European times to the present day.