A piece of Kent Town history restored  

A piece of Kent Town’s history has been given a new lease on life, with the historic Edwin Smith Fountain revitalised and returned to a place where it can once again be appreciated by the community.

Also known as Smith’s Fountain or the Sir Edwin T. Smith Memorial Fountain, the historic drinking fountain dates back to 1877 and has a strong connection to Kent Town and one of South Australia’s most prominent civic figures.

The fountain was presented to Adelaide on 28 November 1877 by Lady Elizabeth Smith in honour of her husband, Sir Edwin Thomas Smith.

At the time, public drinking fountains were more than decorative features. They provided access to drinking water while representing Victorian ideals of public health, civic pride and the improvement and beautification of growing cities.

The fountain originally stood at the meeting point of Rundle Road, Rundle Street and Dequetteville Terrace, close to the area where the Brewery Apartments are located today.

Its location was particularly significant given Sir Edwin’s connections to Kent Town and his brewing interests.

Who was Sir Edwin Thomas Smith

Born in Walsall, England in 1830, a young Edwin Smith migrated to South Australia in 1853.

A successful brewer, businessman, philanthropist and politician, Sir Edwin served as Mayor of Kensington and Norwood and later as Mayor of Adelaide, and was closely involved in improving roads, public services, parklands, tramways and civic spaces, helping shape Adelaide during a period of significant growth.

He was knighted in 1888 in recognition of his service to the colony and the fountain, presented in his honour, reflects that legacy.

It was both a practical public amenity and a lasting memorial to a man whose work was closely connected to the development of the eastern suburbs and the wider Adelaide community.

The return of the fountain began with a request from the Kent Town Residents Association (KTRA), which wrote to Council seeking to rehabilitate the fountain and find a suitable location where it could once again be appreciated by the community.

Council supported the request and, following a search for a suitable location, the fountain has now found a new home at the corner of Fullarton Road and Rundle Street.

Mayor Robert Bria says the revitalisation is a wonderful example of the community working with Council to protect and celebrate local history.

“Our suburbs are shaped by the people, places and stories that have come before us, and the Edwin Smith Fountain is a tangible reminder of Kent Town’s rich history,” Mayor Bria says.

“I’m pleased that the Council was able to bring this important piece of our heritage back into the public realm.

“It is wonderful to see the fountain revitalised and given a new home where residents, visitors and future generations can stop and appreciate its history and significance.”

For the Kent Town Residents Association, the return of the fountain is an important step in recognising and preserving a tangible piece of the suburb’s history.

"We are so pleased to see this beautifully restored fountain returned to its original home in Kent Town, albeit not to its original location in the middle of Dequetteville Terrace." said Kate Eatts, Vice-President of the Kent Town Residents Association. 

The fountain may be a small feature within the streetscape, but it tells a much bigger story of Kent Town’s growth, the development of public infrastructure and the people who helped shape South Australia.

Its revitalisation ensures this part of Kent Town’s story can continue to be seen, appreciated and remembered by future generations.