Courthouse at Morphett Vale

Pencil drawing on card of the Morphett Vale Court house, detailing the front facade and left side of the building.

Bruce Swann was a stud stock auctioneer with Elders-GM and in that capacity travelled throughout South Australia recording with his pen the old buildings of South Australia's rural regions. Following his retirement he found more time for his art and produced books and calendars of the buildings and scenes he drew.

Closer to metropolitan Adelaide is the old courthouse and police station in William Street, Morphett Vale. A police station was originally opened in Morphett Vale in July 1851. An unsuitable building, it was not used after 1852 and tenders were called in 1854 for a new building combining a courthouse and police station. As early as 1855 the Police Commissioner reported faults with the new building: the back opening of the cell, the plastering and the fencing were all inadequate. In 1879 complaints were still coming from the police officers about the condition of the building. As a result the chimney stack, lean-to kitchen and paintwork were attended to. Despite these faults in the building, it still stands today with the courthouse component being used as a community food barn by the adjacent church, St Hilary of Poitiers.

This item is reproduced courtesy of the estate of Bruce Swann. It may be printed or saved for research or study. Use for any other purpose requires written permission from the estate of Bruce Swann. To request approval, complete the Quote for Copy/Permission form.