Brick work chimney

Talk about a structure standing out like a sore thumb. In this case looks more than one of the other fingers though. The Despatch brick works chimney was built in 1882 and was once part of a flourishing brick works. Bricks were "dispatched" or rather "despatched" from here along a railway siding (later known as … Continue reading Brick work chimney →

Grey Institute windows

The Grey Institute across the road from the Donkin Reserve was completed in 1859 and housed Grey High School until 1915 when they moved to their present site in Mill Park. Since then the building housed Pearson High School (now in Summerstrand) and then the Albert Jackson Primary School. Since it was bought by the Mediterranean … Continue reading Grey Institute windows →

St Dominic Priory tour

In my line of work I have taken tourists, tour operators, photographers and media from all over the world around this beautiful city I call home. This past week I got to do a different kind of group. A group of grade 6 schoolkids from St Dominic Priory in the city. At first I didn't … Continue reading St Dominic Priory tour →

Anglo Boer War soldier

With the fairly recent upgrade of the market square area in front of the Uitenhage town hall, the Anglo Boer War Memorial have been moved and is now positioned a bit more prominently. The monument was unveiled in 1904 and contains the names of Uitenhage citizens who died in the Anglo Boer War fought between 1899 and 1902. … Continue reading Anglo Boer War soldier →

Feather Market Centre organ

A lot of people know where the Feather Market Centre is but I bet very few have seen the very impressive organ that adorns the front of the main hall. The concert hall pipe organ was inaugurated in June 1999 and cost R2,6m at the time. The organ stands 14 meters high, 10 meters wide … Continue reading Feather Market Centre organ →

She is not amused

"There is a pigeon sitting on my head. I am not amused!"

Holocaust monument

I have a very good knowledge of Port Elizabeth and thanks to doing this blog I often discover new things and places while looking for something new to post. A little while ago Max asked me if I knew that there was a holocaust monument in Glendinningvale. Well, to tell the truth, I didn't. I had … Continue reading Holocaust monument →

Prester John Cross

Behind the City Hall in the city centre stands a very unique monument. The Prester John Memorial is the only monument in the world dedicated to the mythical King-priest who was rumoured to live somewhere in Africa. While the Portuguese were looking for a sea way to the East around Africa, it was also their quest … Continue reading Prester John Cross →

Queen Vic and the library tower

The statue of Queen Victoria was erected in front of the Public Library in the city centre in 1903 in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (1897). The library building itself was erected in 1902.

City Hall clock

The Port Elizabeth City Hall must be one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city. It was originally built between 1858 and 1862 with the clock tower being added in 1883.