Old Government House is an historic building located in Belair National Park, South Australia, and was South Australia's first official vice-regal summer residence of the Governor of South Australia from 1860 to 1880, and was used by governors Richard Graves MacDonnell (1855–62), Dominick Daly (1862-68) and William Jervois (1877–80). It was constructed from local sandstone, with the red-brick for the quoins sourced from the Blackwood brickworks, and a native timber shingle roof. The residence's indoor plunge-pool was reportedly the first in the colony. History Government Farm Within a few years of the settlement of South Australia, the colonial government decided to establish a "Government Farm" for the purpose of agisting horses and bullocks, and providing hay and fodder. The area chosen was the upper reaches of the Sturt River; In addition to its suitability as farmland, governor George Gawler thought the area would be ideal for the establishment of a summer residence. In July 1840, in a highly irregular transaction, thirteen surveyed sections of , plus of rough country to the east were purchased. The sale was dubious in that it was paid by private promissory note, rather than through official government channels. Additionally, the sale document did not mention three of the 80 acre sections, nor the large section of rough country. When Gawler was replaced by George Grey in May 1841, the colony's finances were in considerable debt. As a fundraising measure, the newly established farm was offered for public sale. However, realising that their title to the land was dubious, the government cancelled the sale. Ironically, the government's questionable title to the land ensured it remained in public ownership. The five most westerly sections of the farm (part of the original ten sections) were disposed as land grants in 1844. They were developed as orchards, vineyards and market gardens, eventually becoming the suburbs of Glenalta and Monalta in the housing boom of the mid 20th century. This sale left the Government Farm at approximately the same extent that it remains, as Belair National Park, to the present day. Government Farm Cottage South Australia's economy recovered in the 1850s due to the Victorian gold rush. Governor MacDonnell, having already extended Government House in the city, commissioned the construction of a vice-regal retreat on the Government Farm in 1858. It was designed by the Colonial Architect Edward Hamilton, with assistance from R.A. Hyndman and G.K. Soward. Charles Farr was