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South Australia - Organisation

The Bridge Industrial Home (1934 - 1977)

  • Gilbert Street, Adelaide

    Gilbert Street, Adelaide, c. 1880, courtesy of State Library of South Australia.
    Details

From
1934
To
1977
Categories
Disability Institution, Home and Salvation Army
Alternative Names
  • The Bridge (Also known as)
  • The Bridge Salvation Army Industrial Home (Also known as)
  • The Salvation Army Industrial Home for Women and Girls (Also known as)

The Bridge Industrial Home was the new name given to The Bridge Rescue Home in 1934. Run by the Salvation Army it was located in Gilbert Street, Adelaide, and provided accommodation and training for teenage girls. Girls living at the Industrial Home worked in a laundry that operated at the Home. In the 1970s it also accommodated women with disabilities. The Bridge Industrial Home was closed in 1977 and the building was demolished.

Details

In 1934 The Bridge Rescue Home became officially known as The Bridge Industrial Home when it began to provide a residential program for the 'training' of teenage girls who were placed there for 'uncontrollable' behaviour. The Industrial Home was run by the Salvation Army at 146 Gilbert Street, Adelaide, in a large two story building that had once housed the Adelaide Bushmen's Club. In September of 1943, 6 women and girls lived at The Bridge. While at the Home, girls were encouraged and assisted to complete their education and were helped to find employment. A laundry which operated at the home provided some work for the girls and generated income for the institution.

In the 1970s The Bridge also provided accommodation for a number of women with intellectual and/or physical disabilities . At this time it became clear that the old Bushmen's Club building was in need of much renovation. However, in 1977 when it was discovered that the building was riddled with white-ants (termites) it was demolished. It was replaced with a new building known as 'Centennial Court' in 1980 - 81 and its role changed to that of a centre for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Location

1934 - 1977
Address - The Bridge Salvation Army Industrial Home was situated at 146 Gilbert Street, Adelaide. Location: Adelaide

Timeline

 1890 - 1899 Rescued Sisters' Home
       1899 - 1934 The Bridge Rescue Home
             1934 - 1977 The Bridge Industrial Home

Related Archival Series

Publications

Books

  • Kirkham, Lt-Col John C, Southern Soup-Soap-Salvation, a compendium of Salvation Army Social Services in the Australian Southern Territory, The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory Territorial Archives and Museum, 2003. Details

Journals

  • War Cry: The Salvation Army Magazine, The Salvation Army Magazine 'War Cry' contains many articles relating to Children's Homes and other institutions run by the Salvation Army., The Salvation Army Australia, 1883 -. Details

Online Resources

Photos

Gilbert Street, Adelaide
Title
Gilbert Street, Adelaide
Type
Image
Date
c. 1880
Source
State Library of South Australia

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: 'Salvation Army Street Appeal Tomorrow', The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia), 23 September 1943, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48768182; George, Karen, Finding your own way, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., 2005, http://nunku.org.au/resources/; Kirkham, Lt-Col John C, Southern Soup-Soap-Salvation, a compendium of Salvation Army Social Services in the Australian Southern Territory, The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory Territorial Archives and Museum, 2003.

Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George