The Algoa Battery

I have done several posts regarding the Port Elizabeth Harbour defenses erected around the city during World War II, but just to recap in case you haven't seen any of them. Before the Second World War the Port Elizabeth Harbour actually had no defense in place except for Fort Frederick which was built in 1799 to guard the … Continue reading The Algoa Battery →

St Georges Prep at No 7 Castle Hill

No 7 Castle Hill is a favorite spot for both young and old (and in between as well). I have been there so many times and always see something that I haven't seen before. It also helps that the museum has a passionate curator in Mrs Grizel Hart who really cares deeply for the museum and … Continue reading St Georges Prep at No 7 Castle Hill →

Then and Now – Grey Institute

In the mid 1800's there was a boom happening in Port Elizabeth. It was during this time that Sir George Grey, Governor of the Cape from 1854-61, played a leading role in the establishment of educational institutes throughout the colony. At the instigation of John Paterson, one of Port Elizabeth's the first Town Councillors, the … Continue reading Then and Now – Grey Institute →

Outspan MOTH Shellhole

The Memorable Order of the Tin Hats, or MOTH, was founded on 7 May 1927. The idea of the Order back then (and still today) is to help fellow comrades in need, either financially or physically and to also remember all servicemen who has answered the Sunset Call, both in war and during piece time. … Continue reading Outspan MOTH Shellhole →

Then and Now – Donkin Reserve

The Donkin Reserve is truly one of Port Elizabeth's iconic attractions. The pyramid (Donkin Memorial) was commissioned by Sir Rufane Donkin in August 1820 as a monument to his wife Lady Elizabeth after whom he named the town. Sit Rufane was the Acting Governor of the Cape Colony and came to Algoa Bay to oversee the landing … Continue reading Then and Now – Donkin Reserve →

Brookes Hill Battery Observation Post

During the Second World War a series of harbour defences were built around Port Elizabeth to keep a lookout for approaching enemy ships, planes and submarines. The harbour defences consisted of three Forward Observation Posts (FOP) at Schoenmakerskop, Cape Recife and Bluewater Bay along with the Algoa Battery building in Humewood and the Battery Observation Post on Brookes Hill … Continue reading Brookes Hill Battery Observation Post →

Discovering PE’s oldest dam – Frames Dam

Its always nice to discover something or somewhere new. In this case it was something old. A quick geocache outing during lunch time took me into the Shark River Valley in Humewood and to the old Frames Reservoir. In the mid 1800's the fledgling town of Port Elizabeth was having water problems. As a stop-gap measure, … Continue reading Discovering PE’s oldest dam – Frames Dam →

The remains of Stuart Township

I think most of the regular PE Daily Photo readers know by now that I am an addicted Geocacher. One of my own caches is situated close to a old footbridge over the narrow gauge railway line next to the South End Cemetery. Between the cemetery and the railway line used to be a residential … Continue reading The remains of Stuart Township →

The Port Elizabeth St Georges Club

In 1866 a group of Port Elizabeth businessmen decided to start a social club where they could come together after work for a drink while playing snooker and billiards. The Port Elizabeth Club was born. The club originally started in Western Road opposite the Trinder Vlei and then moved to the present location when membership started to grow too big for … Continue reading The Port Elizabeth St Georges Club →

The history of the Pearson Conservatory fountain

The Pearson Conservatory was originally built in 1882 and restored to its former glory between 2009 and 2011. The centre piece of the conservatory is an ornamental fountain made by Andrew Handyside at the Duke Street Foundry "Britannia Iron Works" in Derby in the UK around the same year. The Britannia Foundry's work was well … Continue reading The history of the Pearson Conservatory fountain →