Sanders Fodder – Gawler South SA

The stone building which is part of today’s fodder store, was built in 1872 by James Dawson. Located on a parcel of six allotments of land bought from George Vosper Bassett for 60 pounds in 1865, of which 3 allotments were situated on the Eastern side of 23 rd Street (then named Coulls Street). This area named Bassett Town was situated adjacent to the railway, a vital link to Adelaide and the Port.

James Dawson had a background as a seed merchant in Scotland and came to Australia seeking a climate more suitable to his health. He had friends in Gawler – the Fotheringhams. He tried sinking a well for a mill at Kapunda but found it unsuitable and then took a four year lease on a mill at Stockwell.