James Track is believed to be named after Richard Boucher James who had arrived in the valley by 1848. James is thought to have used this route to get to Myponga. The writer of 'Sketches of the Present State of South Australia' reported passing by James' property in 1850 and wrote: 'Mr James is the owner of a considerable number of sections, and has some good crops of wheat and potatoes; he is also a large sheep farmer, and occupies the whole of his valley as a run beyond his enclosures.'

James Track Bridge crosses over the Inman River at the beginning of the Track. Although there was probably an earlier bridge at this site, the masonry supports of the current bridge were built for a new bridge about 1880 by masons Robert Buchanan (senior and junior). Members of the Buchanan family built a number of the stone homes in the Inman Valley area, including Galloway, Carisbrooke and the Jagger house.

Photograph 2014 by Yvonne Hampden