Sevenhill, South Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Sevenhill
state = sa


caption =
lga = District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys
postcode = 5453
pop = 418 [Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC44876 | name = Sevenhill (State Suburb)|quick = on | accessdate=2008-05-24] including the town and surrounding area (2006 Census)
est = 1848
region = Mid North
mayor = Allan Aughey
elevation=
maxtemp =
mintemp =
rainfall =
stategov = Frome
fedgov = Wakefield
dist1 = 128
dir1 = north
location1= Adelaide
dist2 = 8
dir2 = south
location2= Clare

The town of Sevenhill (postcode 5453) is in the Clare Valley region of South Australia, approximately 130 km north of Adelaide. It was settled by the Austrian Jesuit Fathers and Brothers in 1848. The name is taken from the reference of the seven hills of Rome.

History

The first settlers in the area were the Jesuits and the Prussian-born population who later established themselves at their property at Hill River, now adjoining Pikes Winery. Francis Weikert donated land for the first Jesuits to establish the current Saint Aloysius Church and Sevenhill Winery. Weikert is buried in the Sevenhill cemetery. It was from these first settlers that the vine rootlings were established, allowing the current winery industry to flourish.

Railway

A railway line was built from Riverton to Clare in 1919 and on to Spalding in 1922. It closed in 1974 and the tracks were removed in the 1980s, but the alignment now carries the Riesling Trail bike route.

The town today

The Sevenhill township is home to a hotel, several bed and breakfast cottages, a CFS station and an antique shop. The community hall is also used as a weekend market stall.

The town's oval is found east of the main cross road and supports a cricket team during the summer months.

Governance

Sevenhill is governed at the local level by the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys. Sevenhill lies in the state electoral district of Frome and the federal electoral division of Wakefield.

See also

* Clare, South Australia
* Clare Valley
* List of rail trails

External links

* [http://www.walkabout.com.au/fairfax/locations/SAClare.shtml Walkabout]
* [http://users.chariot.net.au/~history/ Clare Regional History Group]
* [http://www.sevenhillcellars.com.au Sevenhill Cellars]