Heritage Places

Heritage Place Details

LOCATION
Map Show Map
Address Frenchmans Terrace PENNESHAW
Locality
Accuracy H - high level confidence
Development Plan Kangaroo Island Council
Polygon Type B - Building footprint
DESCRIPTION
Details (Known As) Frenchman's Rock Monument, Well & Pine Trees
Registered Name Frenchmans Rock Monument, Well and Pine Trees
Significance This is a well documented and romantic site in the exploration history of southern Australia, with a continuing association with the pre-settlement and early settlement history of Kangaroo Island. Frenchman's Rock (1803) and the engraved sheet of copper left behind at Memory Cove (1802) by Matthew Flinders are by far the two earliest memorials in the State, the next oldest being the monument to Colonel William Light in Light Square and Flinders Monument on Stamford Hill out of Port Lincoln (both 1844). Leaving aside the place names the French bestowed along the coast, the only other tangible memorial of the French explorers is the plaque on the Bluff at Encounter Bay mounted in 1902 for the centenary of their meeting Matthew Flinders. The site is of significance as one where the French can definitively be said to have been (as opposed to knowing they were in the general vicinity). The fact that the original Rock was removed to protect it from further deterioration does not detract from that significance. In addition, the domed structure erected in 1906 to protect the Rock is one of the State's earliest attempts (possibly the earliest) to protect an historic artefact in situ. The gradual erosion of the original inscription was noted in the' Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (SA Branch)' in 1897-98, but it appears that it took the drive of the Penneshaw schoolmistress Mrs Bertha Stow to raise a public subscription for the protective structure, which was supplemented by 100 francs from the French Geographical Society and a State Government subsidy. ('Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia [SA Branch]' vol. 8) [HSA: BJS 9/98]
Subject Index Miscellaneous - Site of / related to a significant event; Parks, gardens and trees - Tree; Exploration and survey - Landing Site; Monuments and memorials - Monument
Class State
STATUS
Status Code REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register
Status Date 11-APR-1996
REFERENCE
LGA Kangaroo Island
State Heritage ID 14651
Heritage Number 16041
SECTION 16 INFORMATION
Section 16 a - it demonstrates important aspects of the evolution or pattern of the State's history
f - it has strong cultural or spiritual associations for the community or a group within it
PLAN PARCEL & TITLE
As listed in the SA Heritage Register
Plan Parcel & Title Information CR 5756/672 T110201 A96

Disclaimer

While due care has been taken to ensure that the SA Heritage Places Database accurately reflects the South Australian Heritage Register and listings of Local Heritage Places in Development Plans, the State of South Australia does not accept liability for the use of the SA Heritage Database for any purpose. Users should consult the Department for Environment and Water - Heritage South Australia to confirm the listing of State Heritage Places and the relevant Development Plan for Local Heritage Places/Contributory Items.

In the majority of cases, the maps of State Heritage Places on this web site show the footprints of the most significant structures on a registered Place. However, sometimes they simply indicate the complete area of land comprising the Place. Work is proceeding to further refine the mapping of such places. It is also important to note that development control is not limited to the registered structures but extends to their setting and structures nearby (what is termed ‘development affecting’ a State Heritage Place). Hence it is vital that exact details of the listed place and implications for any proposed development be discussed with Heritage South Australia staff, as they cannot be deduced solely from the information on this web site. The inclusion of a place in the SA Heritage Register gives no right of public access. Permission to visit properties must be sought from the owners. The accuracy of the mapping of State Heritage Places is not guaranteed. Please contact Heritage SA ( https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/sa-heritage-register) if you believe there is an error.


GIS files

To access downloadable GIS files, go to Data.SA.