Linwood is located 24km north of Gawler and was named by Alexander Hay (1820-1898) circa 1857, who probably named it after a town in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Linwood is located between Templers and Tarlee on the southern bank of the Light River. The wooden bridge over the River Light was washed away in a flood in 1889. A new, higher, stone bridge was opened in 1891.
The public school at Linwood was referred to as the "Hundred of Light School" after it opened in 1903. There was also a Methodist church and a post office. None remain in use.