SAFarming
Willunga
Slate joined farming in a southern service town.
1839Post office opens in the early township
WHAT STARTED IT
The early township served southern farms and road traffic. A post office opened in 1839, and commercial slate quarrying began the following year.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Slate supplied roofing markets, while civic buildings including the 1855 courthouse consolidated the town's service role.
TURNING POINTS
1839Post office opens in the early township
1842Willunga farmers cut their barley in November, with the wheat harvest to follow.
1846The official return counts 96 farmers in the Willunga district with 1,990 acres under crop.
LaterSlate supplied roofing markets, while civic buildings including the 1855 courthouse consolidated the town's service role.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A historic Fleurieu town with markets, farming and wine-country tourism near McLaren Vale.