Cowell Historic & Agricultural Museums

Cowell Historic & Agricultural Museums The friendly volunteer staff maintain a large array of display items and a considerable amount of historical information from the area.

Cowell's Historic & Agricultural Museums display a large variety of local artifacts, equipment and includes local historic information of the Franklin Harbour area and township. THE FRANKLIN HARBOUR HISTORIC MUSEUM

The Historic Museum (Formerly the original post office) is located on the main street between the Council Chambers and the current Post Office. Please be aware that this museum is run

by volunteers, and hours may vary. We are looking to have volunteers run this museum. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Bev Horder at 0427 292 313 or email her at [email protected], and we will get in touch with you ASAP. Entry fee is:
Children (0-16): Free
Adults (17 and up): $5.00 per person. (CASH ONLY)


THE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

The Agricultural Museum is located along the Lincoln Highway across from the Silo, it's farming equipment ranges from multiple ages and allows people to walk through each implement freely. The open area displays a train that was used to haul various goods up and down the Franklin Harbour Jetty when the ships would come into port, including a variety of farming equipment after Cowell was settled. There is no current entry fee for the Ag Museum, but a monetary donation would be greatly appreciated to keep it running. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Rodger Story at 0428 377 133, and he will get in touch with you ASAP. Our Postal address (for both museums) is P.O. Box 11, Cowell, SA, 5602. if you wish to get in contact with the Historic or Agricultural museum curators, their emails are:

The Historic Museum email address is [email protected]

The Agricultural museum is [email protected]

28/07/2026

Historic Museum will still be closed August, due to maintenance and restructure.
Thanks for your patience

Can anyone identify this house for the museum. It is believed to be Laurie and Min Rehn’s home. Possibly Cowell but rela...
27/07/2026

Can anyone identify this house for the museum. It is believed to be Laurie and Min Rehn’s home. Possibly Cowell but relatives are uncertain of its locality either Cowell or out of Cowell.

COWELL HARBOUR MASTERS (updated)1. T. Willett – Post & Telegraph master appointed – 29/09/1898.2. M. D. O’Connell – Moun...
26/07/2026

COWELL HARBOUR MASTERS (updated)

1. T. Willett – Post & Telegraph master appointed – 29/09/1898.
2. M. D. O’Connell – Mounted Constable.
3. J. P. (Jack) McCarthy – Recorded as Council Clerk, Collector of jetty tolls and Harbour Master in newspaper article dated 1906.
4. Captain Samuel Teasdel – performed duty of wharfinger (today’s harbour master) in conjunction with his agency for Adelaide Steamship Co from 1908.
5. Hugh McMillan – appointed wharfinger at council meeting 06/05/1909.
6. Frank Rowe – Wharfinger from January 1910 to May 1910 interim appointment.
7. Charles A. Johnson – appointed by Marine Board June 1910.
8. Captain R. W. Ronald – appointed September 1910.
9. Captain J. C. Wotton – June 1918
10. J. H. Henderson – Acting Harbourmaster Sept 1918 to June 1919.
11. Captain John Hayter – June 1919.
12. J. W. Brock – July 1921.
13. Maywald – Feb 1923.
14. G. B. Pegler – August 1923.
15. Bruce Tonkin – March 1950 – Acting Harbourmaster.
16. Max Emery – October 1950.
17. Glen Roberts – 1954 – Oral History – No Evidence.
18. Bruce Tonkin – 1956 – 1960 Oral History.
19. Horace Hornhardt – 1060 – 1968 Oral History.
20. Arnold Rudiger – 1971 Oral History.
21. Gerald Wiseman – Oct 1974 -?

Explanations –
Wharfingers – are interim Harbour masters
Extracts are from Police Station Records.

CWA - (Country Women's Association)1926 was the beginning of South Australia’s CWA by a Mrs Mary Warnes who established ...
08/07/2026

CWA - (Country Women's Association)

1926 was the beginning of South Australia’s CWA by a Mrs Mary Warnes who established the first branch at Burra. It was then known as the Country Women’s Service Association.
The Cowell branch was formed on the 23rd of June 1938, (by this time there were 68 branches statewide.).
The C.W.A. aims to help overcome the isolation and loneliness of country women and children to improve their living conditions and enable them to join social activities which were most necessary in earlier times.
The first meeting was held upstairs in the institute with a good attendance of interested women who unanimously decide to form a branch.
Mrs Martyr was elected President and Mrs Naylor Secretary. Subscriptions were set at 3 shillings annually with 72 members in the first year.
The Masonic Lodge Ante room was available and cost of £2/12/0 a year to hire. The branch met there for 3 years, Mrs A. Turnbull paid the hire cost for the first 12 months, meetings were then transferred to the national bank building (Now the Council office) in May 1941.
The branch’s aim was to raise enough money to purchase its own room, however, WWII broke out. During the war years every effort was directed to the comfort funds, red cross etc.
Hundreds of sheep pelts were sent to be tanned and parcels of clothing sent to the refugees.
Cowell C.W.A. sponsored debutant balls every 2 years over a long period of time. In 1974 the ball proceeds were donated to the Institute for new chairs. Handicraft, floral work, choir and drama were all part of the activities of the branch.
Before the hospital auxiliary, the C.W.A. supplied the needs of sewing and mending. In 947 an allotment on the corner of first and third streets was purchased for £35 from the late Mrs G Zibell as a site for the meeting and restroom.
In 1950 the Cockabidnie hall near Darke Peak was bought for £420, it was then dismantled and transported to Cowell where it was re-erected with work mostly done by voluntary labour with the assistance by members husbands.
The building served its purpose for 30 years and due to the various costs, it was sold.
The branch then moved to the RSL clubrooms with both organisations sharing the maintenance costs etc, an arrangement which proved to be satisfactory.
Five women, Foundation members who were active throughout were awarded Long Service Badges and certifications. They were:
Mrs A Carmody, Mrs F. Franklin, Mrs A. Barrett, Mrs E. Schumann, & Mrs G Wildman.

03/07/2026

We will be temporarily closed ALL OF JULY for maintenance and restructure

DOCTORS & CHEMISTSLack of Medical Services was one of many problems in country towns and Cowell was no different. Wallar...
22/06/2026

DOCTORS & CHEMISTS

Lack of Medical Services was one of many problems in country towns and Cowell was no different. Wallaroo was the most used by residents. People wishing to see a doctor would travel by boat to Wallaroo which was first choice or by horse and car to Port Lincoln, which was a much longer and tougher journey.

In April 1893, Dr Varley enquired by letter to the Franklin Harbour Council re a need for medical assistance. However, there is no evidence of DR Varley practising medicine in the Franklin Harbour District. Charles Du Bois was Cowell’s second person with knowledge of medicine but was reputed not to be qualified for the position he was to hold.

John Pengelley was the towns appointed “Officer of Health” chemist at £10 ($1211.44, as of 2025) 7th of June 1900. He resigned 18th August 1910. JP, a chemist lived at Yabmana and did much to ease the sickness of people until there was a doctor in the Franklin Harbour district. He started in 1906 and was asked by the central board of Health to resign, which he did in 1909.

In 1912 a chemist named Sullivan was in Cowell, then Vin Clarke opened a chemist shop next to the ANZ bank. The pharmacy was bought in the 1960’s by Ivan Duggan who leased the shop. The business then became under Ray Walker in 1977. After Walker died there were several chemists who filled in the gap of dispensing until it was closed and moved to a new premises next to the Commercial Hotel, where it is presently combining 2 shops into one.
Dr Gibson came from Wallaroo in 1896 for a week whilst Mrs Wilhelmina Venning was ill. She was the first person to be buried in the New Cemetery.

Dr Harbison a visiting doctor from Wallaroo in 1900.
Dr Thomas was here when “Mrs Mends cut her throat”, from “Police station Journal dated 10th August 1902.

Dr Wilson appointed Medical Officer from 23rd June 1904.
Dr Stokes attended Mr Elleway when he was stabbed, he did not interfere with the stitching’s of Mr Pengelley, 23rd March 1906.
Dr Charles Marshall (05/07/1907 to 30/03/1918) guaranteed income of £400 ($75,064.46 – 2024 value). Who built the first hospital on a shell grit rise on the esplanade.

Dr Eugene Abraham Mitzenmacher (April 1916 to 31/07/1918) (Matison 1/11/1918 Registered Medical Board. Registered as Matison on the Medical board 01/11/1918.
Dr Mathan Dennerstein (08/12/1918 to July 1919) Legally a practising national practitioner 12-071918.
Dr Charles Marshall (28/11/1919 to 20/03/1920)
Dr Henry Pomeroy (09/03/1920 to 06/04/1922)
Dr B Wurm (06/04/1922 to 07/02/1924)
Dr Alan Hobbs (31/01/1924 to Early 1927)
Dr Robert Fox (12/03/1927 to 1940
Dr Murray Wood (17/08/1940 to 1944/45 or early 1946
Dr J. C. Campbell (20/03/1947 to 30/05/1949)
Dr Vic Webster (Feb 1950 to May 1953)
Dr Hugh McDonald (August 1953 to May 1957)
Dr William (Bill) Owen (June 1957 to 30/10/1958)
Dr Eric Shaw (Dec 1958 to 14/09/1961)
Dr Bryan Thompson (November 1961 to 30/08/2007)
Dr Aleksander Ochnik (17/12/1998 – 2015-2020?)
Dr Richard Jolly
Dr James Francis

As of 2025 Cowell has produced several young citizens who have become doctors (if there are any others that you know please let us know)
- Tim Phillips
- Lara Franklin
- Caitlin Fiegert
- Marni McFarlane

RIFLE CLUBThere have been 5 Rifle Clubs in the District Council of Franklin Harbour area. Three closed down in the late ...
08/06/2026

RIFLE CLUB

There have been 5 Rifle Clubs in the District Council of Franklin Harbour area. Three closed down in the late 1920’s and one in 1959, Utera Rifle Cub, Coolanie Rifle Club, Narridy Creek Rifle Club & Elbow Hill Rifle Club.

Utera Rifle Club records indicate it was the first club to be formed with a government grant of £38/1/3 was authorised on the 16th of June 1914 to stablish a range. The club officially dismembered on the 28th of June 1928, the equipment of this cub went to the Coolanie Rifle Club.

Narridy Creek Rifle Club was the next club to be formed in 1914, with two government grants were authorised, one for £20 on the 30th of October 1914 and one on the 20th of November 1914 for £14/16/11 for construction.

The second grant may have been for the formation of the Elbow Hill Range as it was a sub range to Narridy Creek. Elbow Hill stopped sometime in 1921. The range was officially disbanded on the 20th of June 1929.

Coolanie Rifle Club was formed in 1928 following the disbanding of the Utera club. The Coolanie club functioned well for the next 30 years, but eventually membership dwindled and in 1959 the club amalgamated with Cowell.

Cowell Rifle Club’s earliest records are dated September 1915. There were records of two grants totalling £58/11/7 being made to establish the range. It had a large number of members. An old minute book dated July 1916 a mobilisation form was filles in with the following information:

30 members for military service,
3 riding horses,
13 bicycles,
2 motor bicycles,
28 draught horses for hire or sale,
2 hay wagons,
1 light wagon,
2 days, harness for all horses,
3 blacksmiths and farriers,
1 wheel wright,
1 saddler,
1 tailor,
2 carpenters
& 1 boot maker.

The number of club members who volunteered for active service in either the first world war or second world war are not available, but the percentage would compare favourably with any other area in Australia. There was a need for a clubhouse, and it was noted that there was a 20 x 40 foot steel framed building as Keswick Barracks available for £15.

A party of volunteers went to Adelaide to dismantle the building and load it onto a semi-trailer provided by Mr O. H. Wright. Once back in Cowell R. O. Linton & R. C. Tonkin with their building skills were able to rebuild a reasonable looking clubhouse.

NOTE: For taking his semi-trailer to Adelaide and transporting the building, Mr Wright received 3 packets of ci******es and a bottle of whiskey!

In 1985 the club was in a sound financial position with 16 members.

08/06/2026

Good morning everyone,

The post office museum is open today from 10am to 3pm, come in and have a look around, $5.00 entry, CASH ONLY

COWELL TROTTING CLUBThe first track used by the Cowell trotting club was a graded circle surrounding the football field,...
21/05/2026

COWELL TROTTING CLUB

The first track used by the Cowell trotting club was a graded circle surrounding the football field, on a piece of land owned by the Franklin Harbour Show Society.

In 1953, T. L. Hanson was approached to raise money on its behalf for an extension of the old track, this was made to SA Trotting League specifications.

The Owners, Breeders, Trainers & Reinsmen’s association organised all show societies to form a shows association so that shows would not clash and trotting people could compete at each venue.

Trotting races had been held at shows on the Eyre Peninsula but the sport was not organised, so a group of men keenly formed the Eyre Peninsula’s Owners, Breeders, Trainers & Reinsmen’s association and took over the conduct of all trotting meetings which still continues today.

The possibility of conducting registered meetings was discussed by C. Forth, C. Kittel & J. Post at the Commercial Hotel one evening after the annual show.

An advertisement went into the local Paper (i.e. The Eyre Peninsula Tribune) inviting interested people to attend a public meeting, 50 people responded including Mr Reg Baker from Port Augusta.

C. Forth was elected President & C. Kittel as Secretary, but it was some time before the meetings were registered.

The first registered trotting meeting was held on the 25th of October 1968. There were 6 races and 11 bookmakers.

The meeting was officially opened by Mr Arthur Whyte MLC of Kimba. After the meeting, a dinner was held for the Owners, Breeders, Trainers & Reinsmen’s and was declared a success.

16/05/2026

Has anyone heard of Kidman waterfall (possibly at or near Yabmana area)
&
Dunn’s waterfall (again possibly at or near yabmana), location/s may not accurate

As I am updating and digitising photos, records etc, I need locals who know these area whilst they’re alive and can remember this.

If anyone knows any information about this I would really appreciate it. Also if they do exist, can I ask permission to get photos taken if on people’s property, with the location of where it is for the museum’s records. And any information about it, again with permission.

Kindest thanks
Claire woods

Address

P. O. Box 11
Cowell, SA
5602

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

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