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Belgian postcard. Photo: Warner Bros.
American actress Eleanor Parker (1922-2013) appeared in some 80 films and television series. She was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, for Caged (1950), Detective Story (1951) and Interrupted Melody (1955). Her role in Caged also won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. One of her most memorable roles was that of the Baroness in The Sound of Music (1965). Her biographer Doug McClelland called her ‘Woman of a Thousand Faces’, because of her versatility.
Eleanor Jean Parker was born in 1922, in Cedarville, Ohio. She was the daughter of Lola (Isett) and Lester Day Parker. Her family moved to East Cleveland, Ohio, where she attended public schools and graduated from Shaw High School. She appeared in a number of school plays. When she was 15 she started to attend the Rice Summer Theatre on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. After graduation, she moved to California and began appearing at the Pasadena Playhouse. There she was spotted by a Warners Bros talent scout, Irving Kumin. The studio signed her to a long-term contract in June 1941. She was cast that year in They Died with Their Boots On (Raoul Walsh, 1941), but her scenes were cut. Her actual film debut was as Nurse Ryan in the short Soldiers in White (B. Reeves Eason, 1942). She was given some decent roles in B films, Busses Roar (D. Ross Lederman, 1942) and The Mysterious Doctor (Benjamin Stoloff, 1943) opposites John Loder. She also had a small role in one of Warner Brothers' biggest productions for the 1943 season, the pro-Soviet Mission to Moscow (Michael Curtiz, 1943) as Emlen Davies, daughter of the U.S. ambassador to the U.S.S.R (Walter Huston). On the set, she met her first husband, Navy Lieutenant. Fred L. Losse, but the marriage turned out to be a brief wartime affair. Parker had impressed Warners enough to offer her a strong role in a prestige production, Between Two Worlds (Edward A. Blatt, 1944), playing the suicidal wife of Paul Henreid's character. She played support roles for Crime by Night (William Clemens, 1944) and The Last Ride (D. Ross Lederman, 1944). Then she got the starring role opposite Dennis Morgan in The Very Thought of You (Delmer Daves, 1944). She was considered enough of a ‘name’ to be given a cameo in Hollywood Canteen (Delmer Daves, 1944). Warners gave her the choice role of Mildred Rogers in a new version of Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage (Edmund Goulding, 1946), but previews were not favourable and the film sat on the shelf for two years before being released. She had her big break when she was cast opposite John Garfield in Pride of the Marines (Delmer Daves, 1945). However, two films with Errol Flynn that followed, the romantic comedy Never Say Goodbye (James V. Kern, 1946) and the drama Escape Me Never (Peter Godfrey, 1947), were box office disappointments. Parker was suspended twice by Warners for refusing parts in films – in Stallion Road (James V. Kern, 1947), where she was replaced by Alexis Smith and Love and Learn (Frederick De Cordova, 1947). She made the comedy Voice of the Turtle (Irving Rapper, 1947) with Ronald Reagan, and the mystery The Woman in White (Peter Godfrey, 1948). She refused to appear in Somewhere in the City (Vincent Sherman, 1950) so Warners suspended her again; Virginia Mayo played the role. Parker then had two years off, during which time she married and had a baby. She turned down a role in The Hasty Heart (Vincent Sherman, 1949) which she wanted to do, but it would have meant going to England and she did not want to leave her baby alone during its first year.
Eleanor Parker returned in Chain Lightning (Stuart Heisler, 1950) with Humphrey Bogart. Parker heard about a women-in-prison film Warners were making, Caged (John Cromwell, 1950), and actively lobbied for the role. She got it, won the 1950 Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award. She also had a good role in the melodrama Three Secrets (Robert Wise, 1950). In February 1950, Parker left Warner Bros. after having been under contract there for eight years. Parker had understood that she would star in a film called Safe Harbor, but Warner Bros. apparently had no intention of making it. Because of this misunderstanding, her agents negotiated her release. Parker's career outside of Warners started badly with Valentino (Lewis Allen, 1951) playing a fictionalised wife of Rudolph Valentino for producer Edward Small. She tried a comedy at 20th Century Fox with Fred MacMurray, A Millionaire for Christy (George Marshall, 1951). In 1951, Parker signed a contract with Paramount for one film a year, with an option for outside films. This arrangement began brilliantly with Detective Story (William Wyler, 1951) playing Mary McLeod, the woman who doesn't understand the position of her unstable detective husband (Kirk Douglas). Parker was nominated for the Oscar in 1951 for her performance. Parker followed Detective Story with her portrayal of an actress in love with a swashbuckling nobleman (Stewart Granger) in Scaramouche (George Sidney, 1952), a role originally intended for Ava Gardner. Wikipedia: “Parker later claimed that Granger was the only person she didn't get along with during her entire career. However, they had good chemistry and the film was a massive hit. “MGM cast her into Above and Beyond (Melvin Frank, Norman Panama, 1952), a biopic of Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. (Robert Taylor), the pilot of the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It was a solid hit. While Parker was making a third film for MGM, Escape from Fort Bravo (John Sturges, 1953), she signed a five-year contract with the studio. She was named as star of a Sidney Sheldon script, My Most Intimate Friend and of One More Time, from a script by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin directed by George Cukor, but neither film was made. Back at Paramount, Parker starred with Charlton Heston as a 1900s mail-order bride in The Naked Jungle (Byron Haskin, 1954), produced by George Pal. Parker returned to MGM where she was reunited with Robert Taylor in an Egyptian adventure film, Valley of the Kings (Robert Pirosh, 1954), and a Western, Many Rivers to Cross (Roy Rowland, 1955). MGM gave her one of her best roles as opera singer Marjorie Lawrence struck down by polio in Interrupted Melody (Curtis Bernhardt, 1955). This was a big hit and earned Parker a third Oscar nomination; she later said it was her favourite film. Also in 1955, Parker appeared in the film adaptation of the National Book Award-winner The Man with the Golden Arm (Otto Preminger, 1955), released through United Artists. She played Zosh, the supposedly wheelchair-bound wife of heroin-addicted, would-be jazz drummer Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra). It was a major commercial and critical success. In 1956, she co-starred with Clark Gable in the Western comedy The King and Four Queens (Raoul Walsh, 1956), also for United Artists. It was then back at MGM for two dramas: Lizzie (Hugo Haas, 1957), in the title role, as a woman with a split personality; and The Seventh Sin (Ronald Neame, 1957), a remake of The Painted Veil in the role originated by Greta Garbo and, once again, intended for Ava Gardner. Both films flopped at the box office and, as a result, Parker's plans to produce her own film, L'Eternelle, about French resistance fighters, did not materialise.
Eleanor Parker supported Frank Sinatra in a popular comedy, A Hole in the Head (Frank Capra, 1959). She returned to MGM for Home from the Hill (Vincente Minnelli, 1960), co-starring with Robert Mitchum, then took over Lana Turner's role of Constance Rossi in Return to Peyton Place (José Ferrer, 1961), the sequel to the hit 1957 film. That was made by 20th Century Fox who also produced Madison Avenue (H. Bruce Humberstone, 1961) with Parker. In 1960, she made her TV debut, and in the following years, she worked increasingly in television, with the occasional film role such as Panic Button (George Sherman, Giuliano Carnimeo, 1964) with Maurice Chevalier and Jayne Mansfield. Parker's best-known screen role is Baroness Elsa Schraeder in the Oscar-winning musical The Sound of Music (Robert Wise, 1965). The Baroness was famously and poignantly unsuccessful in keeping the affections of Captain Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) after he falls in love with Maria (Julie Andrews). In 1966, Parker played an alcoholic widow in the crime drama Warning Shot (Buzz Kulik, 1967), a talent scout who discovers a Hollywood star in The Oscar (Russell Rouse, 1966), and a rich alcoholic in An American Dream (Robert Gist, 1966). However, her film career seemed to go downhill. A Playboy Magazine reviewer derided the cast of The Oscar as "has-beens and never-will-be". From the late 1960s, she focused on television. In 1963, Parker appeared in the medical TV drama about psychiatry The Eleventh Hour in the episode Why Am I Grown So Cold?, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award. She also appeared in episodes of Breaking Point (1964). And The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1968). In 1969–1970, Parker starred in the television series Bracken's World, for which she was nominated for a 1970 Golden Globe Award. Parker also appeared on stage in the role of Margo Channing in Applause, the Broadway musical version of the film All About Eve. In 1976, she played Maxine in a revival of The Night of the Iguana. Her last film role was in a Farrah Fawcett bomb, Sunburn (Richard C. Sarafian, 1979). Subsequently, she appeared very infrequently on TV, most recently in Dead on the Money (Mark Cullingham, 1991). Eleanor Parker was married four times. Her first husband was Fred Losee (1943-1944). Her second marriage to Bert E. Friedlob (1946-1953) produced three children Susan Eleanor Friedlob (1948), Sharon Anne Friedlob (1950), and Richard Parker Friedlob (1952). Her third marriage was to American portrait painter Paul Clemens, (1954-1965) and the couple had one child, actor Paul Clemens (1958). Her fourth marriage with Raymond N. Hirsch (1966-2001) ended when Hirsch died of oesophagal cancer. She was the grandmother of actor/director Chasen Parker. Eleanor Parker died in 2013 at a medical facility in Palm Springs, California of complications of pneumonia. She was 91. Parker was raised a Protestant and later converted to Judaism, telling the New York Daily News columnist Kay Gardella in August 1969, "I think we're all Jews at heart ... I wanted to convert for a long time."
Sources: Jon C. Hopwood (IMDb), Wikipedia and IMDb.
And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.
I saw a picture of this ex Australian Army Scammell Contractor tank transporter that'd been converted to a tipper here on Flickr around 2011, and when I was on holiday there in 2018 I decided to see if the 1971 built machine was still around.
With not much time or information I managed to track it down even though it'd moved location to a coal mine which was impossible to access without induction training!
Never mind, at least the old girl was parked fairly near the fence!
The United Auto Workers union has voted to approve a tentative labor deal with General Motors Co. clearing the path for members to vote on the proposal, which presents significant wage gains and job commitments for the next four years.
UAW officials didn’t disclose details of the tentative pact, ...
www.thehrdigest.com/general-motors-and-u-a-w-reach-tentat...
Ivan Drackoff - Leader of the Shazir Cell in Bandaud. Wanted in connection with a bombing in Plighia last year. Wanted Alive
(for a contract build in Eurobrick's GREAT BRICK WAR)
Chino, CA
7/8/17
Once again WMmaster626 and I headed back to Chino and Eastvale in search of Waste Management trucks. We arrived in Chino first and found Scott in a fast 2010 Peterbilt Amrep. Scott was the driver we saw last year driving the Condor Curotto Can. We talked about WM recently receiving a 15 year extension in Chino, and how WM will even be in charge of Street Sweeping. After we filmed Scotts truck, he gave us directions to Jaime. Eventually we found Jaime in Chino on Condor Avenue of all things. WMmaster626 and I had a good laugh about that and we made sure to get a clip and a picture. Waste Management did a great job refurbishing and painting this 2003 Condor Wittke/Leach that used to be diesel but is now CNG. All the warning decals and even the Wittke sticker (by the fire extinguisher) were new. We were glad to find the Condor again considering it is 1 of 2 Condor Curotto Cans Waste Management still uses in SoCal and both are spares. Jaime revved the Condor at every stop and it sounded great, especially for CNG. There were several cars out on the street and he did a good job pivoting the Condor around them so he did not have to get out of the truck. We were glad to find the Condor and went to Eastvale after filming the Condor.
Thank you Scott for directions to the Condor, big thank you to Jaime who is a great driver and nice guy and originally started with Western Waste in Chino and he also used to drive the WM Heil STARR in Chino. Finally thank you WMmaster626 for coming, even in the 100 plus degree heat it was a blast!
Congratulations to Waste Management Chino for receiving a 15 year contract extension, it was well earned.
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Uv7tFPpKI
Video of Scott in this truck from 2016: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfeAvgfIw44&t=212s
EXPLORED
I have travelled 8000km by train, bus and contract taxi in 18 days with numerous sweet and bitter experiences. Last time I was there in 1996 and after a huge gap I went there again. People might say India has changed but for me India didn’t change.
My port of entry was Calcutta; from there my route was Calcutta - Delhi - Kalka - Shimla - Manali - Leh, Ladakh - Sri nagar(kashmir) - Jammu - Delhi - Agra – Varanasi and finally back to Calcutta. However, I have met people there who been travelling India for couple of weeks and visiting almost every known famous city there; apparently they are on year long world tour. Lucky guys!
India would have been a true ecstasy for travelers if she didn’t have any touts and frauds. A classic example of touts would be one of them tried to sell the Taj Mahal to a tourist. A legitimate travel agent sold ten 1st class AC rail ticket to a Korean tourist and made him pay the rupee amount written on the train ticket in American Dollars. It was like 875 rupee per ticket but he paid $875 per ticket. India government admits this problem of fraud and harassments, there are warning signs everywhere but still people make mistakes.
India is rich in culture and it has lot more to offer than what we read or hear. Unless you visit there, you won’t be able to experience it.
Lens: EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Camera: Canon EOS 5D
Location: Shimla, India
All contents herein are copyrighted © by Shabbir Ferdous Photography
Except where otherwise noted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
N231FL - B-727-22C - Contract Air Cargo
(reg. to International Trading Co. of Yukon, Oklahoma City/OK) -
at Hamilton International Airport (YHM)
operated still in basic Purolator c/s - visible registration is only "N23"
c/n 19.205 - built in 1967 for United Airlines -
operated by Kelowna Flightcraft air Charter between 02/1994 and 05/2002 as C-FKFP -
leased to All Canada Express between 08/1995 and 07/1996 -
retired in 2011 - stored at Kelowna (YLW)
No - this is not an AEW-727 !
Warrington's Own Buses operate a closed-door peak and lunch time shuttle between the various office facilities on Birchwood Park and Birchwood railway station / shopping centre. Normally this would be operated by one of the two deckers to wear an advert livery for Birchwood Park Estates, but with most of the offices closed or on minimal staffing at the moment due to Covid-19 and the shuttle running on a reduced timetable, the capacity is not needed. An empty VDL SB120 / Wright 72 (DK07EZO) was seen on the service on the afternoon of 14/05/20 whilst I enjoyed a bike ride.
For many years independent operators have taken school children to the swimming baths providing a useful source of off peak income. The firm with whom I started my working life in the bus industry was no exception and Stoniers of Goldenhill ... later Tunstall, had several such contracts. Here 'our' penultimate new Leyland Leopard TVT 863R awaits the returning rabble outside Tunstall's elderly Public Baths in Greengate Street circa 1980. Bodywork was by Plaxton to their Supreme III 'Express' design seating 53.
I gather Tunstall's baths are now earmarked for closure along with several other council run facilities as the authority strives to make cuts. I'm not sure how or where the kids will learn to swim if it is indeed still a legal requirement (?)
After 8 years with yearly contract at the Ministry of Education, eventually tonight I got my OPEN ENDED contract...see my face!!!!
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ESA signed a contract with Leonardo to design, manufacture, integrate and test the Sample Transfer Arm for the Mars Sample Return programme at the the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2022.
Attending the contract signature event were David Parker (bottom left), ESA's Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, Gabriele Pieralli (bottom right), managing director of Leonardo’s Electronics Division, ASI’s president Giorgio Saccoccia (top left) and Leonardo Pasquali (top right).
Leonardo is leading a European industrial consortium with companies from Spain, France, Romania, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Credit: ESA-P.Sebirot
What happens when two models are contracted to do the same photoshoot by mistake? Harry Emmalong, the unfortunate fashion photographer found out when sisters Flambo and Gissles Lank turned up at the same time.
The plan had been a simple shot, featuring an armchair by the newly formed furniture company, Shabby Sheik. However, both women were determined they should be the model employed, not accepting it to be a back-office mistake.
Harry said "Frankly, I just let them argue it out amongst themselves. There was much squealing from the back room, and afterwards I found tufts of hair all over the floor. But I wasn't going to get involved".
Eventually, Harry took this shot of the pair trying to force themselves into the same chair. It was as good he was going to get that day, especially as they broke the chair.
Shabby Sheik were delighted with the picture, and paid both girls half the amount.
On receiving the news of this, there was much squealing from the back room.
There is a lot of work for any government concern done by private contractors nowadays. This process of part privatisation of public services was started during Labours tenure of No.10 during the “reign” of Mr Blair!
He was responsible for many retrograde policies, too many for me to start going on about here, but when it comes down to the NHS, the National Health Service, he introduced PPP, Public and Private Partnership to get more new hospitals and health establishments built.
Constructed by private finance then leased back to and operated by the NHS. The contacts were for very long periods, decades, and very costly rents. These locked the government organisations into exorbitant payments even when the building became redundant for some reason.
There are many empty buildings around the country that the government is still paying for and for many years to come.
Patient transport is one area that part-privatisation actually appears to be working in!
Ousted by the low-floor revolution, a brace of new to Manchester Volvo B10s await their fates at Lillyhall.
Rail Replacement Contract.
Exeter St Davids Coach lay-over park.
Thats a manual tacho in the drivers hand, not a cornish wafer!
15 Feb 14
Hello Ladies! This is the Beginning! this is where we will decide the rest of your lives and one of you will become Fashions newest M U S E! I am Melissa Roberts, former supermodel and your host and mentor for this competition.
We have some unbelievable judges for this competition,
Rodger Childs, our sexy noted fashion photographer who shoots all the major campaigns, covers, and photo shoots and worked with every supermodel on the planet!
Jennifer Collins, She is the Fashion Editor for POSE Magazine and also the editor-in-chief of Beauty in POSE!
Last but not least, we have Amara Bergerot, A top supermodel from back in the day who has worked with every top magazine, photographer, and designer.
The winner of POSE Will recieve...
A contract with Cannon Models (trendytwinzx4)
A cover of Cannon Magazine and Beauty in Cannon (trendytwinzx4)
A contract with Fashion Models (Bratzswedish)
A Cover of CHIC and Beauty in CHIC (Bratzswedish)
A Contract with CHICK Model Managment
A Cover and spread for POSE and Beauty in POSE. She will also appear on the cover of POSE for 4 times this year!
She Will also be the face of GOLIGHTLY and LIGHT for a year!
The face of MAC cosmetics for a year.
These prizes are huge, so we need to make sure we have a worthy winner of this competition.
The 21 semifinalist had to do a photo shoot stripped back an natural. No editing, no makeup, just a pair of jeans and a tank top. the girls also did their own hair for the shoot.
Alright, there are 21 of you so lets get started!
Kenya- Wow look at that face! You definitley are giving us FACE! i think you could have worked your body more, but other than that we cant really complain. you gave us your heart and soul on this image.
Chloe- This feels very amateur. you have a very fresh young modern look, and just this pose makes you look too "modelly" and not natural. i think that if you would have worked your body and face more, it would have been a more successful image. i can speak for all of us when i say we wanted more from you.
Cassi- this photo captures what is genetically there. your a very pretty girl, but i dont see ANY modeling in this image, you are just vacant. the lights are on but no one is home. in this image, you could have given us purity and innocents, but you look like a teenager who wants her cell phone back.
Lola- Oh my gosh. Lola this is INCREDIBLE! your body your face it is all in harmony and you connected with the camera. you took a risk by sitting on the ground and it worked wonders for you. I also got word back that you were a joy on set and you really inspired the photographer, what more could we ask for? Watch out girls, Lola has come to the competition and is ready to COMPETE!
Johanna- I think it is a very pretty image. your body is relaxed and natural. my problem is that it is not memorable! it does not take my breath away like say Lola's image. but i would have liked a little more in the face, it feels a little sleepy. overall though i think it works as an image.
Magdalana- Your face is stellar. you look so symetrical and elegant. i like the bit of a "wink" i get in your face. your body is so dead. like there is no tension or power there. you need to match your face with the body and you will be a success.
Eyen- Your one of the most modern of the bunch, with out a shadow of a doubt. and that is perfectly shown in this shot. your face just connects and harness in on the camera. your pose is great to, you made really strong shapes with your body in the shoot. overall you should be very impressed with your self on this shoot.
Milana- This is a photo that some people would look at and say "I don't get it what is the point"? but there is a fashion element and a simplicity that i find beautiful. your body shape and the movement is great, but don't repeat this in all your shoots because it will not do you well.
Amelia- Look at the power in your face! that is amazing your eyes and how you connect your your heart on film. but your full body shots were NOT as strong. you need to learn how to get those amazing legs to work with your torso and head.
Ananda- Wow what a beautiful image. your body and your face are in harmony. you really gave us that pure simple and chic vibe. i like that you almost ignored the camera because it doesn't feel to modelly it feels just right. my only critisism would be to take a deep breath next time and just flow, and not get too stiff.
Siri- i like the shape and angles you are giving us. you look confident and powerful. is it a little posey, yes, but i like that you commited to the image, because now it looks intentional. I think you look very unique and im excited to see how you will look next week!
Erin- the girl with the candy hair! i actually look at you first then realize, oh there is a girl with Pink hair. the pink needs to go if you make it to make-overs. but i think your body looks great, i like the movement. and your face has a lot of confidence and strength. very well done Erin!
Eloise- your face photographs like no one else here. you have a unique thing that no one else has. that being said though this is another case where the face has to match up with the body and not let one over shadow the other. you body is to strong, and then your face is very soft, so it just doesnt work as a full shot for me.
Irina- Ive never seen a girl who looks like you. there is a bit of a danger in your face and i think that that is very hot! your body is sexy and i love that you are in control of the image. there is not question you can photograph.
Jade- Your film this week was not strong. you were awkward and just not aware of the camera and how to position yourself. HOWEVER, this image is probably one of the strongest of the bunch. you brushing your hair back and your hand in your pocket is so flirty and natural. what this shoot shows is that you CAN do it, but you need to be more consistent.
Isabella- its a really nice piece. i think your face is so strong and sexy, but not overpumped its just there. your body is just a lil awkward, like your were mid-motion. but none the less, for a first picture, i think that it has a good attitude and vibe. im curious as to what you would do next.
Gigi- WOW! look at you! you look so soft and fresh! your face your body your hair is all so cute! this is one of the strongest shots because of how you photograph! you deffinetly have a modern face!
Alexandria- BAM there you are! attitude and strength, confidence, its all there! your totally putting your personality on the film. i think your body is strong and the face is just matching it. i think you have versatility that is unmatched by any girls around you.
Robin- well there is no question you have a strength in this photo, but i dont think you look like whats NEXT in fashion. your face is so strong, that it registers a little hard for me. and you do NOT look fresh. i think that you could have worked your face and angles better.
Victoria- I love the connection with your eyes and the camera lense. not a lot of girls can do straight on and connect with the camera, but you can! i think you have a lot of potencial and i cant wait to see more!
Nikki- You know your tools, and how to work with them. i love that little bit of a pout with your lips and brows, and those eyes are just pricless. i think your body is ok, but the arms and hands need a little work, but remember think about EVERY detail!
Alright girls we have a hard desicion of how many of you will be leaving tonight, when i call you back though, ill reveal who that is.
The era of the pastoralists in the Crystal Brook area was dominated by the Bowman family. This area appealed to pastoralists as the Rocky River (which rises beyond Laura) joins the Broughton River near where Crystal Brook now stands. The first run in the district, called the Crystal Brook run (560 square miles) was taken up by William Younghusband and Peter Ferguson in 1842. It included the site of present day Port Pirie. Younghusband and Ferguson decided to survey part of their run and establish a town in 1848. They sold some of the land (85 acres) to Emmanuel Solomon and Matthew Smith, who established Solomontown. Around 1850 the leasehold was “sold” to the Bowman brothers with 25,000 sheep, 3,400 cattle and 200 horses for £50,000! The partnership between the three Bowman brothers was dissolved in 1864 following the Surveyor General’s new evaluation of their leasehold. George Goyder raised the annual lease from £514 to £3,420. One Bowman brother left for Tasmania, one for Poltalloch on Lake Alexandrina and another for Campbell Park on Lake Albert. The last remaining brother had his Crystal Brook run resumed by the government for closer settlement in 1873. The original homestead with a fine slate roof is part of Bowman Park, a state Native Fauna Park, controlled by the government. Many station buildings from the pastoral era still exist in this park. .
Surveying of the land for agriculture began in 1873 with town blocks being sold at auction shortly after this and the Hundred of Crystal Brook being declared. The town grew phenomenally in the first few years. The railway from Port Pirie arrived in 1877 sealing a prosperous future of the town. It continued on to Gladstone and to Peterborough by 1880. Many public buildings were erected in the years between 1877 and 1880. The first two storey construction in the town was completed in 1875 for E.H. Hewett, a butcher. At one stage this became the town’s bakery and it still has a basement oven. Today it is the National Trust Museum. By the time of the 1881 census Crystal Brook had 496 residents, making it the 12th largest town in the areas north of Adelaide.
At the end of the Main Street (Bowman Street) is Adelaide Square. Like Adelaide, Crystal Brook is also surrounded by parklands, although these have been used for development in places. The railway line divided the town into two parts. Some of the notable or historic buildings in the main street are:
1.The Crystal Brook Hotel on the corner of Railway Terrace was erected in 1878. The upper floor was added in 1910. For some years it was known as Knapman’s Hotel.
2.One of the large department stores was Claridge’s. It eventually became a Eudunda Farmer’s Store.
3.The National Bank site from used from 1876 but is now a private residence. The last a bank to operate here was the Savings Bank of SA. The classical looking bank structure was opened in 1936 for the SA centenary celebrations. It became a Savings Bank of SA in 1943.
4.The Royal Hotel built in 1882 with the upper floor added between 1910 and 1920.
5.Crystal Brook Institute built in 1881. Note the rounded upper windows and door quoin with the rectangular lower windows. Made of local stone. The library service started in 1878 before the Institute built.
6.The Georgian style Elders stock and station agent building was built in the 1930s. It is now a private residence. Note the perfect symmetry and the tiny portico above the front door.
7.In Adelaide Square note the Methodist Church- opened in 1877 and still in use. The unsympathetic front porch was added in 1967. Adjacent to it is a fine Sunday School building which opened in 1912 with FOUR foundation stones laid by four different local ministers and identities.
The District Council of Crystal Brook was established in 1882 and by then the town had a number of town facilities. These included the Crystal Brook School which opened in 1877; the Methodist Church which opened in 1877; and the first Catholic Church which opened in 1879. (The present Catholic Church opened in 1924 when the old church became a Catholic School.)
Growth of the town was based on its industrial development and the employment opportunities this provided. The first blacksmith was started by John & Robert Forgan who had learnt their trades with James Martin of Gawler. Their Crystal Brook foundry and implement works began operations in 1878. In 1884 the business expanded following the death of Robert. John also opened a branch in Port Pirie in 1902. The firm was still operating in 1973 when the town centenary history was written. The first flour mill was built on the corner of Railway Terrace and Cunningham Street in 1880. The flour mill burnt down in 1905 but the chaff mill part of the operations continued until the 1920s when it too burnt down. It was replaced by a motor vehicle dealership and garage.
But the biggest employer in the town was the SA government. In 1885 construction of the Beetaloo Dam, upstream on the Rocky River commenced. The government based its headquarters for the construction team in Crystal Brook. Once this project was completed work began on the Bundaleer reservoir in 1898. This was connected to the Beetaloo system. All the engineers and other workers for water in the mid north were based in Crystal Brook. Next the Baroota Reservoir was started in 1921. The Engineering and Water Supply (E & WS) office has thus been in Crystal Brook since 1892. Since the 1950s Crystal Brook has been the regional head office for E & WS with over 100 employed in the department’s workshops and offices. They are still located on the edge of Adelaide Square. The Highways Department has also had regional headquarters in Crystal Brook since 1943. In the 1970s this department employed 110 people in Crystal Brook. The railways were the other major government employer in the town before the rail standardisation of 1970 which saw the old station complex demolished. Other employment options in the town have been the northern areas radio station which was established in 1932, and the town electricity supply which began providing a service in 1922. The government has also employed health workers at the town hospital since 1925. Today Crystal Brook has a population of 1,600.