A Tour of Johnburgh

Location

Johnburgh is a former town and a located in South Australia on the eastern side of the Flinders Ranges and 275 kilometres north of Adealide in the municipal seat of Orroroo.

Today Johnburgh is a ghost town.

History

In 1875 the Government held a Royal Commission into the possible opening up of lands beyond Goyder’s Line. Evidence was presented as to the futility of lands beyond Goyder’s Line for agriculture. However, the Government proceeded proclaiming the Hundred of Oladdie on 23 March 1876.

The township of Johnburgh was proclaimed on 10 July 1879 and settlement took place rapidly with the excellent season of 1878-79. The subsequent drought of 1880-81 had a crippling effect on the growth of Johnburgh.

Johann Ehrenfried Arnold bought land in this district in 1879 and his son Fredrich Herman Arnold (3.4) worked the land from 1879 for some twenty years. It was a hard life for him and his wife Augusta Helena nee Obst and their family of ten children.

The Hotel

Opened in 1882 by WH Tremain, the Johnburgh Hotel was one of the best constructed buildings in the town, an indication of the expected growth that never eventuated. It closed during World War One.

The school

In late 1891 Flora McArthur was transferred from Miniburra Plain School to the new Johnburgh School. The highest attendance was 85 students in 1899. Final closure was in 1967.

Post Office and Store

Johnburgh Post Office and Store opened in 1879. In 1894 a new store was built in front of the church manse. The store was closed on 31 December 1966.

The Church

In 1883 Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was a galvanised structure. In 1924 a stone church was built. The church manse was opposite the church.