Goat+Square,+Tanunda

Please click here to return to Year 2 Topics This historic village square lies at the intersection of Maria and John Streets, to the west of the main street of Tanunda.It was laid out as the original centre of the town by Charles Flaxman, to whom the land was granted in 1842. An early map has a goat drawn in the square. It is thought that the square was the market site for settlers living in Tanunda and Bethany, and, if so, goats would have been on sale there. Its official name is Goat Square, but locals call it Billygoat Square.

Around the square are some of the oldest cottages in Tanunda. The large house on the southern side, called the Rieschiek House (now a private residence) was built for the shoemaker. In the cellar very early church services were held before the Langmeil Lutheran church was built. Up in the main street opposite John Street was the saddler. Both he and the shoemaker were in a good position to obtain their leather from the tannery down at the river, at the other end of the street.

Because of the early market and because the square is so attractive, a market-day celebration is held there every biennial Vintage Festival. Groups sell food and wares, and an auctioneer sells off animals. More than one child has come home from the market with a newly-acquired pet!


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