Riverton Trail: Mark Bickley visits the Mid North region of South Australia
A search through the State Records of South Australia uncovered my family's connection to the picturesque Gilbert Valley in the state’s mid-north.
My great great grandfather, John Jubb Horner came out from Yorkshire to settle in the valley in 1854. He established the Riverton Flour Mill, was the first Post Master of the district and even successfully petitioned the Governor to build a railway line to what was a rapidly growing part of the State. Great great grandad was a real mover and shaker in these parts so much so that this place could have been named after him. In fact, according to local Riverton Historian, Rosemary Shearer, some parts of it are.
“It almost became Horner Town but John Jubb declined the offer and recommended instead that it be called Riverton because of its proximity to the picturesque Gilbert River.”
Riverton, as it's now known, offers plenty for day-trippers and a good place to start is the pretty river park on the local heritage trail. Just passed the former Wesley church, you pass a quaint 1870s cottage, built by John Jubb's son Arthur Horner.
“It’s where he and his wife raised several children,’ said Rosemary. “Arthur Horner was Riverton’s first stationmaster in 1869. Then he was posted to the Adelaide Railway Station.”
The railway station, the first pub - which once served as the local council chambers, the later Central hotel and the impressive Riverton Institute Hall all grew from the emerging rural prosperity of the Gilbert Valley. Once this had been a quiet stopover for bullockies and their teams as they hauled copper to Adelaide from the great mine at Burra. But by the latter part of the 19th century the railway moved the ore much more efficiently and local farmers used the bustling railway siding to load their bagged wheat. In the 1920s it also became the site for a dramatic shoot-out, which would make national headlines.
There have been numerous re-enactments of the fateful day on February 22nd, 1921, when a 37-year-old White Russian immigrant named Koorman Tomayeff ran amok with a gun.
“He had a Spanish revolver and forty-two bullets and he started this shooting affray up and down the platform,” said Rosemary. “You can still see the bullet holes.”
Six people were shot including a famous left wing politician of the time, Percy Brookfield who would pay a heavy price for his bravery.
“Percy Brookfield was a very big man - well over six foot and he tried to disarm Tomayeff but he was shoot in the stomach. He died that night in the Adelaide hospital.”
At least one of the bullet holes can still be seen near the door to the tearoom. For many years it was considered to be Australia's first political assassination. But later research revealed Tomayeff had no political motivation - he was simply insane. He spent the rest of his life at the Parkside Mental Asylum.
Thankfully, today the Riverton Railway Station is a very quiet and peaceful place. In fact it's a great base from which to explore the nearby town and district. There's accommodation within the station complete with artwork by famous Riverton local Robert Hannaford. And out the back are several converted red hens, with the sort of comfort many commuters would have loved when they were in service in the 1970s.
Whether it's a weekend getaway for two or larger groups the Riverton Railway Station can accommodate the lot. Copies of the town's heritage trail are available from the Station's owner, Ivor Turney. For bookings contact 8847 2051.
Riverton Railway Station
Accommodation available
Contact Ivor Turney (08) 8847 2051
