How did the building boom of the late 1870s change Adelaide?

The building boom of the late 1870s was a transformative period for Adelaide, effectively converting it into a substantial city.1

This development solidified the city’s dominance over the entire polity and economy of the colony, a role it held more decisively than other Australian cities. As a result of this growth, South Australia evolved into a city-state where the urban and rural sectors became well-integrated through close settlement within reach of the capital. This process of integration was further supported by continuous improvements in transport and communications throughout the region.1