Robertstown

History

The Robertstown area is the traditional lands of the Ngadjuri people. Despite their significant historical presence, the Ngadjuri people have been frequently omitted from historical accounts of colonisation and the process by which they were dispossessed of their traditional lands. In the early days of colonisation, the land in the district was primarily leased to stations like Anlaby and Koonoona. The first settlers were likely stock overlanders from New South Wales. Later, from 1940 to 1951, the Blue Hole Mine operated as an open-cut quarry, located 5 kilometres northwest of Robertstown. The town became more accessible when it was designated as the terminus of the Robertstown railway line from Eudunda and Adelaide. This railway service commenced in 1914, connecting Robertstown to the broader South Australian rail network. The Robertstown railway line continued to service the community until its closure in 1990, marking the end of nearly eight decades of rail transport to the town. The population of Robertstown increased steadily in the early 20th century. By 1936, the town reached its peak population of approximately 2,100 residents, after which numbers began to decline. After operating continuously for 112 years, including 75 years under the same proprietor, Lehmann's Store finally closed its doors in August 2024, representing the end of an era for the Robertstown community.