A large granite outcrop outside the town called Mount Monster was a basis for the area’s name until it was surveyed in 1884 and officially proclaimed Keith in 1889. It is believed that the town is named after the home town of the Governor of South Australia at the time, Lord Kintore. His home in Aberdeenshire in Scotland was called Keith Hall and he was also known as Earl of Kintore. The Post Office opened around 1874 as Mount Monster and was renamed Keith in 1904. In 1905 the general store was opened, and in 1907 the education department rented rooms out of the local institute to use as the school. 1910 saw the opening of Keith Hotel and the town’s provisional school became a public school in 1912.
During the 1940s, the CSIRO found prosperity in the area. With the addition of trace elements, the area became a very productive area. The AMP Society funded the clearing of land to set up farming establishments. A Landrover sits on top a pole in a historical landmark in the town. In 1957, the local school was made into an area school to accommodate the influx of students.
Today…
Several historical buildings still stand today, and many are still in use. The first school building built in the township is still in use by the school. The 1910 church with contemporary lead light windows inspired by local history is a common tourist attraction.
Licensed Restaurant
15 Heritage Street – PH: 08 8755 1061
Licensed Restaurant & Take Away
2 Makin Street – PH: 08 8755 1122
Eat in or Take Away
13488 Dukes Highway – PH: 08 8755 1700
Eat in or Take Away
Makin Street – PH: 08 8755 1405
Eat in or Take Away
Cnr Makin & Heritage St – PH: 08 8755 3041
Don Moseley Memorial Playground
Playground & Reserve
Memorial Avenue, Keith
Circle Work Water Feature
Place of Interest
Heritage Street, Keith
Keith 1910 Congregational Church & Old Manse
National Trust
6 Heritage Street, Keith
Landrover on a Pole
Keith Land Scheme Memorial
Dukes Highway & Ellis Street, Keith
Andy Caldecott Memorial
Memorial
Dukes Highway, Pilmore Park, Keith
Early Settlers Cottage
by appointment only
Emu Flat Road, (100m west of Densley Road), Keith
PH: 08 8755 1118
18 Hole Golf Course
Keith Golf Club
Emu Flat Road, Keith
PH: 08 8755 1272
Gwen Ellis Walking Trail
Mount Monster Conservation Park
13kms South of Keith
PH: 08 8756 6028