The Centenary Tower will celebrate 120 years since it was officially opened on April 27 and a memorial plaque will be unveiled to commemorate the designer.
Carl Gustav Adolph Siegmund, the designer of the Centenary Tower, laid in an unmarked grave in the Lake Terrace Cemetery until it discovered by the Mount Gambier History Group who then encouraged council to mark his grave.
The plaque will be unveiled during a dedication service by Lutheran Pastor Milch Kitson on Saturday, April 27, at 2pm.
The Centenary Tower was officially opened by Sir Samuel Way in 1904, who had also laid the foundation stone on December 3, 1900.
The idea for the tower came about in 1900 when South Australian secretary Thomas Gill wrote to Mount Gambier mayor C C MacDonald suggesting some type of commemoration should take place to celebrate the 100 years since the first major place named in South Australia was bestowed by Lt. Grant aboard The Lady Nelson on December 3, 1800.
Mr Gill informed council that a monument would celebrate the centenary of Mount Gambier/ Berrin and would be the first place name in South Australia, and as far as he knew the third in Australia with the first being in Sydney and the second in Newcastle.
Following this a public meeting was called to raise funds and decide what type of monument, obelisks or structure would be built and where.
After several types were suggested, council decided a solid construction was needed and people were encouraged to send in designs.
Four were received from C Siegmund, J T Topham, G H C Boerke and W R Allison Snr.
Mr Siegmund’s design was accepted with some modifications.
Foundations were laid on December 3, 1900, however enthusiasm and financial support soon dwindled and construction failed to meet expected costs so the building lapsed for several years.
In 1902 council organised a week long fair during the Winter Race Meeting and raised a considerable sum, which enabled the committee to accept tenders for the building.
It was completed and the official opening of the completed tower took place on April 27, 1904.
