The Tea Tree gully itself passes through the Adelaide foothills roughly marking the easiest path eastwards from
Grand Junction Road to
Gumeracha. The 1850s settlement at the entrance to the gully (approximately where
North East Road enters the foothills) was known as the village of 'Steventon' after local resident and miller, John Stevens, who was a major landowner in the area. The name Steventon is retained as one of the electoral wards of the City of Tea Tree Gully. It inherited the former 1855 Highercombe council chambers, which had been built in Tea Tree Gully, and used that building until 1967. The
Old Tea Tree Gully Council Chambers survive today and are listed on the
South Australian Heritage Register, having been the first purpose-built district council chambers in South Australia. In 1967 the Tea Tree Gully civic centre was opened, comprising a new council chamber and civic hall. The municipality was granted city status and proclaimed as the City of Tree Gully on 8 February 1968. A council-owned colonial building was converted into a community art gallery, and is now known as Gallery 1855. The gallery hosts regular contemporary art and craft exhibitions and artist-led workshops. From 1954 to 1971 the population of Tea Tree Gully council rose from just over 2,500 to almost 37,000, and in 1975 it had reached approximately 55,000 as urban residential development quickly expanded. By 2004 the population had exceeded 100,000. ==Council==