The Barossa – History of the Barossa
Valley
The Barossa Valley has a rich
and interesting history. First settled predominantly
by German settlers and some English settlers in 1842,
the Barossa is world renowned
for its wine.
The Barossa was first named by
Colonel William Light, the first Surveyor General of South
Australia, in 1837 in memory of a British victory over the
French at Barossa
in Spain, where Colonel Light was victorious in
1811.
The Barossa Valley receives its
history and heritage from the German settlers, most of whom
moved to Australia to escape religious persecution in
Germany. Within
only a few years, the Barossa had become a very
strong German and Lutheran culture. And this culture and heritage
still remains strongly to this day.
The first settlement was established in Bethany in 1842,
followed by Angaston, Krondorf, Ebenezer, Penrice, Light Pass,
and Langmeil.
These settlements quickly spread throughout
the Barossa region as more and
more German settlers were hearing of the wonderful reports of
the area, particularly is perfect climate and rich soil for
vine growing.
Living standards in the Barossa were difficult
during the early years, with many living in
tents. It
wasn’t until they began to quarry local limestone that
the first buildings were erected. Most of the early
buildings were during the 1860’s, with many beautiful
churches, stone homesteads and the like being
built. The
majority of these buildings still stand today, and many
have been beautifully and lovingly restored into homes,
businesses, and cultural centres. The architecture of the
Lutheran churches throughout the
Barossa
region are one of the beautiful scenes, as you look
across the Valley through thriving vineyards you see many
tall spires of Lutheran church
architecture.
In 1847 Johann Menge and Carl Kornhardt produced a local German
newspaper called Die Australische Deutsche
Zeitung.
The early settlers established not only many churches, the
majority being Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic, but also many
businesses, schools and wineries were
established.
Some of these are still working and producing
today. The
German settlers quickly built a reputation for being hard
working and honest. They had strong
cultural roots and brought these to the
Barossa. Many festivals, songs,
food, customs, religion, and housing that were introduced
by the early German settlers still hold strong in the
region today. The German heritage was
strongly encouraged in the local schools to help preserve
and pass on this rich heritage to the future
generations.
The Barossa Valley still
has many popular festivals each year that celebrate the
history of the area. There are still quite a
large number of locals who still speak German in the
region.
The first German settler to the Barossa to be naturalised
was on 24th May 1839, and during the 1840’s and
1850’s many more were to follow. Much of this German
settlement to Australia was to do with the financial hardships
and religious oppression Europe was going
through.
The Barossa Valley is a
wonderful region with a rich history, culture and heritage all
its own. There is
much to see and do in the Barossa. You can learn so much and
experience so much visiting this beautiful area, there is
everything for both young and old.
Be sure to visit the Barossa Valley for a
wonderful and relaxing experience.
|