American River, South Australia

American River South Australia
Sealers memorial at American River
American River Location in South Australia
Coordinates	35°46′42″S 137°46′22″E / 35.77833°S 137.77278°E / -35.77833; 137.77278Coordinates: 35°46′42″S 137°46′22″E / 35.77833°S 137.77278°E / -35.77833; 137.77278
Population	216 (2011 census)[1]
Established	1842
Postcode(s)	5221[2]
Location	120 km (75 mi) south of Adelaide city centre 19 km (12 mi) south-east of Kingscote
LGA(s)	Kangaroo Island Council
State electorate(s)	Finniss[3]
Federal Division(s)	Mayo[4]
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.1 °C 66 °F 11.6 °C 53 °F 488.9 mm 19.2 in
Localities around American River: Ballast Head Ballast Head Ballast Head Ballast Head Muston American River Nepean Bay Muston American River American River
Footnotes	Locations[2] Climate[5] Adjoining localities[6]

Boats at American River

Swans at American River

American River is a town in the Australian state of South Australia located on the western shore of Eastern Cove on Kangaroo Island.

History

The area now known as American River was first visited by Europeans in 1802 when Matthew Flinders landed to survey this part of Kangaroo Island.^[7] In 1803, a group of American sealers camped for four months in the area. They arrived on the brig Union and built their own 35 ton schooner Independence from local timber. The town takes its name from this time. A memorial plaque and accompanying anchor (recovered in 1969) from an early American whaling vessel is dedicated to the crew of the Union.^[8]

Frank Potts was the first official settler in 1842, before moving to the mainland and establishing the Bleasdale vineyard and winery at Langhorne Creek.^[9] John Buick, a professional boat builder, built the first house in the town in 1844.^[10] It was fashioned out of local stone, pug and sput timber and remained standing until 1985.^[11]

Somewhat erroneously, the waters of Eastern Cove, upon which the township is located, have been referred to as American River, compounding the illusion that the township is connected in any way with a river.

A fish canning factory existed for a few years from the late 1890s, remnants of which may still be found on the shore north of the town proper.^[12] Gypsum was mined at Flour Cask Bay, later at Pelican Lagoon and trucked to nearby Ballast Head, from 1956 until 1986.^[13]

Until the 1980s the town was serviced regularly by the ketches Falie, Nelcebee (last service 15 April 1982) and Ulonga, operated by R. Fricker & Co.^[14] Consequently, on cessation of this service the wharf area for some time was a redundant commercial facility, resulting in the removal of several buildings and fuel facilities. Recently however, the advent of oyster farming has seen new shedding erected and increased activity, in harmony with recreational boating activities.

The population has increased steadily in recent years, while nearby hamlets in the vicinity of Eastern Cove, such as Island Beach and Baudin Beach, South Australia have become more prominent.

Electricity supply to American River was only made permanent in 1967.

Tourism

The establishment of guest houses at American River in the early part of the last century were the forerunner of today's tourism industry on Kangaroo Island. Ryberg, Lierich, and Linnett, are names synonymous with the development of tourism at American River.

Nils Ryberg, a Swedish born immigrant, settled at American River in 1884, and ten years later built the original "Ryberg House" on the site of the present Kangaroo Island Lodge, exclusively for tourist accommodation.^[15]

Ryberg added to the building over several years, before selling to John and Valerie Linnett in 1913. Ryberg House was completely rebuilt in 1928, and remains today.^[16] Fishing trips were an integral part of the business, with three boats, Warrigal, Linnette and Linnette 2 comprising the fleet which operated until 1985.

The business was operated until John Linnett's death in 1955, after which time his four sons, Keith, Lionel, Leon and Gordon continued under the name of Linnetts Pleasure Resort.

Leon Linnett assumed sole proprietorship in 1971, expanding the resort with the erection of several new wings and refurbishing the reception, administration and restaurant areas in 1980, when the resort became known as Linnetts Island Club.

Leon Linnett sold the property in the late 1990s to an Adelaide-based consortium that trades under the name Kangaroo Island Lodge.^[17]

Facilities

The general store ( with fuel outlet and bottle shop) on Scenic Drive serves the immediate community, whilst the town supports a Country Fire Service brigade and South Australian Ambulance Service depot. An active sports and community association maintains a focal point for weekly meals and community awareness, whilst an annual fishing competition, normally held at Easter, is popular. There is a post office, providing most postal services (limited banking) on Tangarra Drive.

An extensive wharf with mooring facilities for large commercial fishing boats was completed in 1964. A new, triple berth boat ramp with floating pontoons was completed in July 2008.

In recent years several new land subdivisions have seen increased development within the township, highlighting the need for improved effluent disposal and water supply. A Community Wastewater Management Scheme was implemented in 2009.^[18]

Transport

Since the withdrawal of services by ketches to American River, there has been no direct freight service.

During the 1980s, there was a passenger ferry service operated by John and Ann Hamlyn between Cape Jervis and American River, using the mono hulled Valerie Jane.

Air services were operated for a number of years by Emu Airways, utilising a privately owned airstrip located to the north of the township. Air Transport regulations subsequently rendered the airstrip unsuitable for commercial flights. An accommodation venue at nearby Muston publicises access via an alternative, private air strip.^[19]

See also

• Pelican Lagoon

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American River, South Australia.

• Kangaroo Island
• American River
• "Kangaroo Island". South Australian History. Flinders Ranges Research. Retrieved 2006-04-25. 

Kangaroo Island
Major townships	American River Kingscote Parndana Penneshaw
Beaches	American Beach Baudin Beach Brown Beach D'Estrees Bay Emu Bay Island Beach Nepean Bay Vivonne Bay
Coastal features	Western end of island Cape Borda Cape du Couedic Cape Gantheaume D'Estrees Bay Fides Bluff Maupertuis Bay Nepean Bay Pelican Lagoon Point Marsden Ravine des Casoars Stokes Bay Vivonne Bay Dudley Peninsula Cape St Albans Cape Willoughby Kangaroo Head
Protected areas	National parks Flinders Chase Conservation parks Baudin Beatrice Islet Beyeria Busby Islet Cape Gantheaume Cape Willoughby Cygnet Estuary Dudley Kelly Hill Lashmar Lathami Lesueur Mount Taylor Nepean Bay Parndana Pelican Lagoon Seal Bay Seddon Simpson Vivonne Aquatic reserves American River Bales Beach Seal Bay Wilderness Protection Areas Cape Bouguer Cape Gantheaume Cape Torrens Ravine des Casoars Western River
Islands adjacent to Kangaroo Island coast	Beatrice Islets Busby Islet Casuarina Islets Douglas Rock Nobby Islet Paisley Islet Pelican Lagoon Islets Pelorus Islet
Related and uncategorised	County of Carnarvon Hundred of Dudley Kangaroo Island bushfires Kangaroo Island Council Kangaroo Island wine region Kingscote Airport Middle River Reservoir
Category Commons