5 to 12 at City Hall

The Port Elizabeth City Hall really is one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Port Elizabeth. Did you know City Hall was originally built between 1858 and 1862 with the clock tower being added in 1883.

Swartkops Power Station

The Swartkops Power Station next to the Swartkops River is one of those landmarks that has become part of the city scape over the years yet I don't think a lot of people know much about it. So in case you don't know its story, here goes. The provision of electricity in Port Elizabeth begun in 1906 with … Continue reading Swartkops Power Station →

Walmer Police Station

I had to pop into the Walmer Police Station to pick up a document that I had been waiting for for more than three years already. At least I have it now. The police station covers a huge area that includes the suburbs of Walmer and Charlo. I couldn't find a lot of history on the … Continue reading Walmer Police Station →

Pleinhuis on Market Square

Standing on Market Square there is a number of historic and interesting buildings surrounding you. I should actually do a whole series on that at some stage (now to just find the time to get down there and get some photos), but for now I'm just showing one of them. Pleinhuis (plein as in square as … Continue reading Pleinhuis on Market Square →

Pleinhuis

There is quite a number of interesting and historic buildings in the area around Market Square in the city centre. One of those which is just across the road from the City Hall is Pleinhuis. The building belongs to the municipality and houses amongst others the offices of the portfolio councillors on the mayoral committee. … Continue reading Pleinhuis →

Gargoyle birds

On the top of Plein Huis across the road from Market Square there is a number ornamental birds. They actually look like they should rather be Gargoyles than birds, but what do I know about those ugly fellas that usually sit on top of buildings scanning the ground? My theory for these birds are that … Continue reading Gargoyle birds →

power drain

This blog seems to be taking on a life of its own. Soon we will retire our cameras and let you guys do all the work! In response to Jan de Wet's photo of the power wasting Post Office yesterday, Louise Eksteen sent this montage, with the following comment:"Brian and I drove around on a … Continue reading power drain →

Eishkom blues…..

Another guest photographer today..... This stunning photo was sent to us by Jan de Wet, who has spectacular views of the bay from his home. He wrote:"I took the pic of the post office during a power outage in Richmond Hill(!) the owners of the building (South African Post Office) assured me that there were … Continue reading Eishkom blues….. →

This place could do with a re-birth

This tatty looking building (admittedly made worse by the fact that it was photographed through the windscreen on a wet and miserable day recently) is where a huge number of Port Elizabethans (including our son) were born... it is the old maternity wing of the Provincial Hospital. Definitely in need of some tlc, but given … Continue reading This place could do with a re-birth →

Lift off

Here's a view of the Port Elizabeth Airport that is not commonly seen. Viewed from across the runway, a plane clears the ground as it gets past the arrivals hall of the airport. (It is a little blurry, but as you will realise, it was moving really fast!) It doesn't matter how many times I … Continue reading Lift off →