Then and Now: The Humewood Slipway

Last week I did a post Then and Now : Humewood Beach showing a couple of historic photos of Humewood beach along with a modern one. I purposely didn't post the two historic photos of the Humewood Slipway below as they were taken from a different direction and I decided to make a separate post … Continue reading Then and Now: The Humewood Slipway →

Then and Now – Humewood Beach

Humewood Beach is one of Port Elizabeth's flagship beaches and one that is popular with just about everybody. Being a Blue Flag Beach it has to adhere to international standards of safety and cleanliness and with the bridge overhead creating shade and nearby parking it's a great family beach. But where did Humewood get it's name … Continue reading Then and Now – Humewood Beach →

Lady Elizabeth Donkin – Then and Now

I wonder how many people who have seen the mosaic art piece on the Donkin Reserve next to the pyramid have noticed that the only known portrait of Lady Elizabeth Donkin has been incorporated into it.Elizabeth Frances néeMarkham was the young wife of Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin and died of fever shortly after child birth while … Continue reading Lady Elizabeth Donkin – Then and Now →

Then and Now – Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick is the oldest building in Port Elizabeth and said to be the first permanent stone structure built by the British in Africa south of the Equator. The fort was built in August 1799 near the mouth of the Baakens River in Algoa Bay to safeguard the fresh water supply and to keep watch … Continue reading Then and Now – Fort Frederick →

Then and Now – Beachfront Fun fair

Driving past Kings Beach yesterday morning I noticed that "Playland" (because that is what we still call it even if it has a different name these days) is busy setting up for the coming summer holidays. Just the day before Cat Anderson James posted a Fun fair Then and Now on the Ex PE 60's 70's, … Continue reading Then and Now – Beachfront Fun fair →

The Obelisk water troughs

If you know a bit about Port Elizabeth's history then you will know that at one stage there was an obelisk standing on Market Square in front of the City Hall. The obelisk is known as The Prince of Wales Obelisk and was brought to South Africa by the founder of the Eastern Province Herald, John … Continue reading The Obelisk water troughs →

Old Port Elizabeth coat of arms

A week or so ago I went for a walk around St Georges Park and at one stage spent a little time at the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial. On the memorial I found this old Port Elizabeth coat of arms and I decided to go and do a little research about it. Turns out this one … Continue reading Old Port Elizabeth coat of arms →

The Red Windmill – Then and Now

There was a time when the Port Elizabeth beachfront had some real iconic roadhouses. Places like the Red Windmill, Something Good, Cashbah and Palm Beach (Flat Rocks). Three of these are no more with the new Something Good still being there although slightly more advanced these days. The Red Windmill Roadhouse used to be at Hobie Beach and is remembered for the neon … Continue reading The Red Windmill – Then and Now →

Then and Now – Queen Victoria Statue and Public Library

One of Port Elizabeth's best known historic landmarks is the Public Library with the statue of Queen Victoria in front of it. The statue of Queen Vic was unveiled by major of Port Elizabeth, J.C. Kemsley, on 30 September 1903. It was carved from Sicilian marble by Edward Roscoe Mullins of London to commemorate the Queen's Diamond … Continue reading Then and Now – Queen Victoria Statue and Public Library →

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 →