Hahndorf, South Australia
Hahndorf (35°01′ S 138°49′ E) is a small town about 30 minutes drive out of Adelaide, South Australia along the Princes Highway. The town was settled by Lutheran migrants from Prussia. The town is named after Danish Captain Dirk Meinhertz Hahn.
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History
The Journey
On 12 August 1838, a ship captained by the Captain Dirk Hahn departed from Altona, Hamburg for its voyage to Port Adelaide arriving on 28 December 1838, almost three years after the official proclamation of the state of South Australia.
On board was a crew of 16 and 188 passengers, including their belongings. In addition was 100 barrels of pork, 100 barrels of flour, 65 barrels of fresh water, 17 logheads of beer and vinegar, 14 barrels of herrings, 2 boxes of boots and 40924 bricks. His ship, a three masted ship named Zebra, was built in 1818 and weighed 350 tonnes.
Two passengers died before the journey begun while some of the passengers were on board several weeks prior to depature, with a further two perishing before reaching open sea. For the time, a relatively low number of 12 passengers died during the journey at sea. This brought the number of deceased from 199 to 188 passengers, with the last corpse being buried at sea while approaching Kangaroo Island. Due to a low tide, the passengers were stuck onboard until 2 January 1839.
Finding and Naming the Land
Zebra was the third ship after the Bengalee and Prince George that brought German Lutheran migrants to South Australia. From these three ships, mostly Zebra, came the founders of Hahndorf. On arrival and inspection, the migrants were very pleased and impressed with their newly aqquired land.
Hahndorf was named after Captain Dirk Hahn in honour of his efforts in securing good land. "dorf" translated from German into English means, "village". Today, some German tourists are somewhat bemused by the name, to the confusion of local residents. This is apparently due to the most literal translation of "chicken-village".
Working the Land
The settlers thrived on their land, with in time, most leaving to work on neighbouring lands, estabilishing a good reputation for themselves.
Culture
German Influence
German influence is very apparent in Hahndorf and is seen phsyically in the traditional fachwerk architecture of the original surviving buildings. There are also many resturaunts in the town serving German cuisine.
Multiculturimism
Today, Hahndorf has grown into a very multicultural community.
Government
Hahndorf is in the District Council of Mount Barker, the state electorate of Kavel (right by the boundary with Heysen), and the federal Division of Mayo.
Venues
- Beerenberg Farm
- German Arms Hotel
- Misty Hollow
- Model Train Land
- The Cedars
- The German Cake Shop
- The Hahndorf Academy
External Links
Categories: Towns in South Australia