Club House.

Early colonial engraved view of the Adelaide Club in North Terrace.

In 1863 14 prominent colonists, including John Baker, John Morphett and Arthur Blyth, determined to raise £4000 in £50 debentures to finance a club and build a clubhouse. By October 1864, 120 members had been admitted without election. Virtually all were leaders in the colony, such as George Fife and John Howard Angas, Henry Ayers, Robert Barr Smith, Thomas Elder, James Hurtle Fisher, Walter Watson Hughes and George Mayo. By far the largest group were pastoralists, followed by businessmen, with lawyers and government officials also prominent. Many who joined served in the legislature, including six past, present or future premiers. The majority of members were Anglicans, a few Presbyterian or Nonconformist, with one or two Roman Catholics and Jews. The Club adopted the Grass Tree as its crest, purchased land on North Terrace opposite Government House, and moved into premises designed by a foundation member, Edward Angus Hamilton, in 1864.