Chicago – South Australia
Did you
know that South Australia once had a suburb named Chicago?
Chicago was an industrial area 5 miles from
Adelaide, which had a school and its own football club.[1]
The Yatala South District Council decided that the name needed to be
changed due to confusion with Chicago South Australia mail being mistaken for
Chicago, Illinois, USA mail.
The Chicago Post Office, South
Australia, stated it did not matter that the name was changed, as it was to
avoid confusion.[2]
However, there was conjecture in local newspapers that the real reason the name
change was first suggested was that the ‘name reminded them too much of
gangsters, daylight hold-ups, and "Scarface" Al Capone.’[3]
Names suggested for the renaming included Booth and
Makinville (in honour of Mr. Norman Makin Speaker of the House of
Representatives), Killarney, Northview or Suburbia.[4]
Mawson was suggested but rejected due to the name being used in Western
Australia.[5] Braeville and Mapleton were also suggested but were vetoed by the Nomenclature Committee, owing to similar place names
in Australia.[6]
While new name suggestions were considered some members of the public believed
the area should be absorbed into nearby suburbs, such as Islington, Kilburn, SunnyBrae, and Islington Park. and Braeville. Ultimately, the Yatala District Council of the
day, overseen by chairperson, R.A. Thompson, would have the final say on the
name.[7]
A name was chosen by the council and debated in Parliament.
Kilburn was chosen as it complied with official requirements, ‘inasmuch, as it
is a wholesome word; and does not clash with any existing place names in the
Commonwealth.’ [8] The News reported on the name transition the
following,
Kilburn is the designation of a private subdivision
adjoining Chicago. Hitherto the name has not been recognised
officially in the Lands Titles Office. There is a suburb of London
called Kilburn, and the name also occurs in Yorkshire and Derby
Shire. In an earlier form: it is mentioned in Domesday Book, and its roots have
reference to church and stream. Chicago is a Red-Indian word for
"wild onion."[9]
The Mail, not long after the announcement of the name change
from Chicago reported,
'Kill— Burn'
'What's in a name?' asked Shakespeare. Residents
of Chicago will find that there is more in one than meets the eye. For the new name for Chicago, near Port Adelaide, is Kilburn. And Kilburn, according
to the residents, sounds much more aristocratic than Chicago, which is
reminiscent of battle, murder, and sudden death.
Kilburn, they say, suggests the emerald isle, with ruined castles dreaming
by moonlit lakes and moss-covered walls and leprechauns.
But the Fates have conspired against Kilburn for
latest cables from Chicago, America, state that gangsters after
killing off their victims are suspected of burning the bodies.
Thus— Kill-burn.
It seems that Adelaide's Chicago cannot escape
association with us shady namesake.[10]
Also changed at the same time,
announced by Governor Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven, was the suburb name Mellor
Park, which was changed to Lockleys.[11]
Researched and written by Allen
Tiller © 2025
[1]
'Chicago Club', News, (25 February 1925), p. 5.
[2]
'Renaming Chicago', News, (15 February 1930), p. 3.
[3]
'Name of Suburb Changed', The Standard, (23 March 1960), p. 7.
[4]
'Renaming Chicago', News, (15 February 1930), p. 3.
[5]
'Chicago Renamed', News, (26 April 1930), p. 3.
[6]
'Renaming Chicago', News, (7 April 1930), p. 4.
[7]
'Renaming Chicago', News, (15 February 1930), p. 3.
[8] 'Exit
Chicago!', News, (3 May 1930), p. 3.
[9] Ibid.
[10]
"Kill-Burn"', The Mail, (24 May 1930), p. 3.
[11]
'Kilburn Vice Chicago', The Advertiser, (13 August 1930), p. 10.
