Later subdivisions-parts of Mile End and Torrensville-were slowly developed as residential suburbs, coinciding with the expansion of the transport network from the 1880s to 1900s. The unity of building styles and features evident within these areas, as well as the differences between these suburbs, gives an indication of the stages of development within the survey area.
The division of Thebarton into North, South and New Thebarton wards heralded the separation of Thebarton from West Torrens. West Torrens was predominantly rural in the 1880s while Thebarton's industries were growing in number and diversity. On 8 February 1883 the Thebarton Corporation was proclaimed (SAGG, 8 February 1883, p. 428); it covered an area of about 1,038 acres, and was divided into four wards: Strangways, Musgrave, Torrens and Jervois (Lester, Firth and Murton 1982, p. 19; Burgess 1907). Several cast iron markers locating the ward boundaries remain-one on Bagot Avenue, Mile End (ME:452) and another in Rankine Road. The first Mayor was Benjamin Taylor.
Immigration has had an important effect on the social composition of the area. The suburbs of Thebarton, Hind marsh, Woodville and West Torrens attracted a larger percentage of people from non-British European countries (rather than the predominantly English settlement of Port Adelaide and Glenelg, Henley and Grange). By 1954 the Greek community made up 3.4% of Thebarton's population and the Italians 2.3%, and by 1961 the Greek population had doubled to 7.4% and Italians to 6.9% (Srubjen 1983). Thebarton gained the greatest number in 1966, with 33.8% of its population originated from non-British countries (Lester, Firth and Murton 1982, p. 98).
The influence of the transport network on the commercial development of the main arterial roads in the Thebarton Council area-Henley Beach Road, South Road and Port Road-is still evident and several items recording the improvement to transport through the area remain : the Bakewell Bridge, the Holland Street bridge and the former MTT convertor station in Henley Street are examples. [From 1991Thebarton Heritage Survey]