A few pieces of
Rubbish tip found
historic china.
C. Stanton & D. Tuckwell collections.
Alexander Cunningham, Importer,
Rundle Street, Adelaide, 1853-1897

Alexander Cunningham was born on Jan 20, 1829 in the (Tower of London) where his father was stationed as an officer of one of the Regiments. Alex came to South Australia around 1853, and at once opened his import business. Cunningham traded very profitably from commodious premises located on the south side of Rundle Street, a few doors east of James Place.

The business was ravaged by a disastrous fire on Christmas Eve 1886 which completely destroyed the building, stock, and claimed the lives of two firemen who battled the blaze.
The building was a complete write-off, and had been leased from the estate of the late T.G. Waterhouse. The stock was valued at 50,000 pounds, but insured for only 23,500 pounds. Cunningham's store was soon rebuilt on the old site, and the Import business was again trading profitably.

During 1897, Alex, went into retirement and sold his entire stock and goodwill to the Rundle Street, merchant, James Marshall & Company. Cunningham had barely retired eight months when he passed away at his residence, Alexandra Tce, Glenelg, on July 27, 1898.
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