Over 5,000 of these photographs are currently available in our Archives Image Library.The City of Adelaide - City Archives is responsible for managing more than 100,000 archival photographs and other images of the Adelaide CBD and North Adelaide.

Many of the photographs have been digitised in joint partnership with the City of Adelaide Library and funded by the Keith Sheridan Bequest.

The images are sourced from three main series:

Historical Pictorial Collection: 1800 items gathered together by the former Commercial Department containing photographs of important civic events and personalities, major streets and public buildings, parks and gardens, and various historic prints of paintings. c.1850s to 1970s

Lantern Slide Collection: collated by Town Clerk A. J. Morison from 1921 when a decision was made to produce lantern slides of ‘early Adelaide’ from old photographs presented or loaned to the Council. Select photos from the State Library Collection were also copied by the State Library for the Council. From 1928 to 1936 lantern slide shows and public lectures were presented by Morison at the Town Hall. c.1850s to 1930s

Commercial Department Photographic Collection: this series contains photographs of important civic events and personalities, major streets, public buildings and developments. c.1950s to 1970s

For further information on photographic collections held by the Archives see Source Sheet 38: Photographs or or visit our City of Adelaide Archives website to view our other holdings and collections

Please contact the City of Adelaide Archives : cityarchives@cityofadelaide.com.au if you require further information.