American River, South Australia

American River South Australia
Sealers memorial at American River
American River Location in South Australia
Coordinates	35°46′42″S 137°46′22″E / 35.77833°S 137.77278°E / -35.77833; 137.77278Coordinates: 35°46′42″S 137°46′22″E / 35.77833°S 137.77278°E / -35.77833; 137.77278
Population	216 (2011 census)
Established	1842
Postcode(s)	5221
Location	120 km (75 mi) south of Adelaide city centre 19 km (12 mi) south-east of Kingscote
LGA(s)	Kangaroo Island Council
Region	Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island
County	County of Carnarvon
State electorate(s)	Finniss
Federal Division(s)	Mayo
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.1 °C 66 °F 11.6 °C 53 °F 488.9 mm 19.2 in
Localities around American River: Ballast Head Ballast Head Ballast Head Ballast Head Muston American River Nepean Bay Muston American River American River
Footnotes	Locations Climate Adjoining localities

American River is a town in the Australian state of South Australia located on the western shore of Eastern Cove on Kangaroo Island.

The area now known as American River was first visited by Europeans in 1802 when Matthew Flinders landed to survey this part of Kangaroo Island. In 1803, a group of American sealers camped for four months in the area. They arrived on the brig Union and built their own 35 ton schooner Independence from local timber. The town takes its name from this time. A memorial plaque and accompanying anchor (recovered in 1969) from an early American whaling vessel is dedicated to the crew of the Union.

Frank Potts was the first official settler in 1842, before moving to the mainland and establishing the Bleasdale vineyard and winery at Langhorne Creek. John Buick, a professional boat builder, built the first house in the town in 1844. It was fashioned out of local stone, pug and sput timber and remained standing until 1985.

Somewhat erroneously, the waters of Eastern Cove, upon which the township is located, have been referred to as American River, compounding the illusion that the township is connected in any way with a river.

A fish canning factory existed for a few years from the late 1890s, remnants of which may still be found on the shore north of the town proper.Gypsum was mined at Flour Cask Bay, later at Pelican Lagoon and trucked to nearby Ballast Head, from 1956 until 1986.

Until the 1980s the town was serviced regularly by the ketches Falie, Nelcebee (last service 15 April 1982) and Ulonga, operated by R. Fricker & Co. Consequently, on cessation of this service the wharf area for some time was a redundant commercial facility, resulting in the removal of several buildings and fuel facilities. Recently however, the advent of oyster farming has seen new shedding erected and increased activity, in harmony with recreational boating activities.