COWELL Not yet at Whyalla the traveler arrives at Cowell. Wow and thank goodness the arrival coincides with a stopover. Or longer. Cowell is a coastal resort and fishing town, but the traveler will quickly discover is progressive and friendly. When settlers commenced farming the area in 1853, Franklin Harbour became a logical place to load ships for export of wheat and wool and a small settlement was soon established. In 1880 the Governor, Sir William Jervois, named the town of Cowell after Sir John Clayton Cowell who was, at the time, the Lieutenant-Governor of Windsor Castle. In 1965, a deposit of Jade was discovered in the nearby Minbrie Ranges. To date over 100 outcrops have been found within an area of 9 square kilometres and as such has been designated by the South Australian Department of Minerals and Energy Resources as the "Cowell Jade Province". The Franklin Harbour Historical Museum situated in the old Post Office residence in the Main Street of Cowell preserves many historically important artifacts of the region, both natural and manmade. The jetty and boat launch facilities are first rate. There is also the ‘farm equipment’ museum on the Whyalla Rd. The two Cowell Hotels are old well established and great looking pubs. The Cowell War Memorial is at the eastern end of the town. The Churches area all 100 year vintage. The Catholic Church is an unusual catholic aberration. When visiting, at a minimum be sure to have a couple of days.