Sterley Cottages

Accorss the road from the No7 Castle Hill Museum stands two historic houses known as the Sterley Cottages. The lower one (not in this picture) is one of three that was built in the 1830's and belonged to William Sterley. Two of the three were demolished some years ago already. Number 12 (in the picture) … Continue reading Sterley Cottages →

1902 Great Gale Memorial

I took some time at the 1902 Great Gale Memorial in the South End Cemetery last week and tried to imagine myself what that day must have been like. On Sunday, 31 August 1902 there were 38 ships at anchor along the then North End Beach. Rain and a south-easterly wind started to lash the bay … Continue reading 1902 Great Gale Memorial →

Concentration Camp Memorial

Kemsley Park next to the SAP sports fields just off Mount Road was one of two Anglo Boer War concentration camp sites in Nelson Mandela Bay. The other one is situated just outside Uitenhage. Roché Petersen has pointed out to me in a previous post that the dead from the concentration camp was buried in … Continue reading Concentration Camp Memorial →

Horse Memorial

The Horse Memorial on the corner of Rink Street and Russel Road was erected in remembrance of the horses and mules that suffered and died during the Anglo Boer War which was fought between 1899 and 1902. Although the war didn't really play of in close proximity to the town, most of the British forces … Continue reading Horse Memorial →

Prince Alfred’s Guard Museum

I had to pop into the Prince Alfred's Guard Museum to other day to take some pics for a brochure. I've actually never been in the museum before then, although I know the monument at St Georges Park quite well. The museum houses military exhibits in the Regiment's Victorian Drill Hall (built in 1880). It … Continue reading Prince Alfred’s Guard Museum →

Nr 7 Castle Hill well

Nr 7 Castle Hill is one of the oldest residential houses in Port Elizabeth and was built in 1827. Today the building is a historic museum and is kitted out with furniture and accessories mostly out of the Victorian era. In the back courtyard is the original well which was used my inhabitants of the … Continue reading Nr 7 Castle Hill well →

Uitenhage Town Hall

The Uitenhage Town Hall, built in 1822Towards the end of the 18th century settlers settled in the Swartkops River valley. Amongst them were and Gert and Johanna Scheepers who's farm De Rietvallei was the site of what was to become the town of Uitenhage.Known as the Garden Town, Uitenhage was originally a farming community on … Continue reading Uitenhage Town Hall →

Donkin Reserve

Today we are back home after our "trip" covering all the towns surrounding Port Elizabeth. So just to start off on the home front again, I am featuring one of Port Elizabeth's iconic landmarks. The Donkin Reserve. On the Donkin Reserve visitors will find the Donkin Lighthouse as well as the Donkin Memorial Pyramid. The … Continue reading Donkin Reserve →

Mill Park

Since we recently welcomed anon and arnieo to this blog, both of whom coincidentally live in Houston Texas and used to live in the PE suburb of Mill Park, we thought we'd show a couple of views of this attractive suburb.Mill Park has an interesting history. According the the fascinating "Port Elizabeth in Bygone Days, … Continue reading Mill Park →

Leather Lane

Looking down Leather Lane from Municipality Road, towards the Russell Road Cemetary and the Dutch Reformed Church, in Campbell Street. The grave of James Langley Dalton, who was awarded Victoria Cross, after the battle of Rorkes Drift, can be seen at this cemetary. I will feature his grave in the new year.