Bethanian - Bethany

 

Bethanian was settled in 1842, which was arranged by Angas’ second agent, Forster.

In the first year, twenty four Lutheran families arrived in the area to purchase and settle land.

The majority of these people were farmers, while others were tradesmen of various kinds.

Bethany clearly reflects the cultural background of German settlers.

Each family took up an allotment of land ranging between 3 to 19 acres and established their farms in a pattern similar to the Prussian administration of the Silesia and East Prussian areas.

 

The pattern of Bethanians settlement was based on a continuous ‘main street’ through the village, to which the first farms were located on the northern side of the road only, as this was the southern limit to the land originally purchased by George Fife Angas.

The farmlands extended in narrow strips from the road, back towards the creek running behind the properties and back towards Tanunda.

The village cattle were grazed in the Bethany foothills.

 

A number of the original cottages, dating as far back to the 1850’s still line what is now known as Bethany Road. They display a distinct German style of architecture. The initial settlement pattern of the town still exists with narrow properties running from the road back towards the creek.

 

During the unrest of World War 1, German Immigrants faced harsh treatment as the suspicion and fear of Germans everywhere was realised. As such many areas of the Valley, with German Names were changed. This is when Bethanian became known as the township of Bethany.

 

 

Sources:

Barossa Heritage Study, Lester Firth and Murton Pty Ltd, May 1981.