The John Martin's department store had its beginnings in October 1866 as Peters & Martin drapery, opening at No. 94 Rundle Street. The business was successful and gradually expanded to take over the premises next-door, eventually stretching to No. 102. In time the business became a company and was renamed John Martin & Company. Arthur Dudley Hayward then joined the firm, thus beginning the legacy of the Hayward family in relation to the business.

The photo shows the corner of Rundle Street and Charles Street in 1900 where a crowd of well-dressed people, some of them ladies with sun umbrellas, have turned out for the John Martin's sale. A fire destroyed part of the three story building to the left on Easter Saturday April 6, 1901. The premises were rebuilt and with continuing expansion became the 'Big Store'. In the 1960s John Martin's opened stores in the suburbs of Kilkenny (Arndale), Elizabeth and Marion, and later at West Lakes.

Under the direction of the Hayward family, the company had a strong sense of civic duty, both to its staff and the South Australian community, sponsoring sports teams, the Adelaide leg of The Beatles Australian tour and supporting charities and causes.

John Martin's is perhaps best known for founding the Magic Cave and the annual Christmas Pageant in Adelaide. The Magic Cave was created in the 1890s. The Christmas Pageant was later created by Edward (Bill) Hayward (later, Sir) to escort Father Christmas to the cave. The first Christmas Pageant was held on 18 November 1933.

The company closed in 1998, after 132 years of trading. The John Martin's building was later demolished as part of an upgrade of the Rundle Mall precinct. The company's business records are now overseen by David Jones Archives.

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