Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Unexpected Consequences of the Bubonic Plague of 1901

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 0 Comment

The meeting of the Khoikhoi – locally known as the Hottentots – and the white settlers in 1820 occurred on the day of their arrival as they were used to carry the settlers on their shoulders from their surfboats to the shore. How communication was possible is unknown but for good measure the Dutch farmers who were contracted to transport the settlers to Albany spoke neither Khoi nor English. Given the fact that the settlers arrived at the destination confirms that communication did occur, all be it, by means of gestures.

Of greater importance was the concept of housing. Simply put where did the Khoi stay? Being a nomadic people, the Khoikhoi would not have settled in one place but relocated as soon as the resources such as reeds or other resources were depleted in an area.

What has the discussion about housing have to do with a plague?

It will be made abundantly clear in a moment.

Main picture: The top of Hyman’s Kloof with Strangers’ Location in the background

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Era of the Bandstand

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 0 Comment

A century ago was the era of the bandstand which epitomised for me the music of the brass band. Bandstands were simply a covered outdoor platform on which a band could play.  No elaborate protection from inclement weather was required as this was an era prior to the use of electrical musical instruments.

Port Elizabeth followed the world-wide trend and built two during the first decade of the 20th century. Thirty years later they were gone.

Main picture: Bandstand in Trinder Square

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: The First Sources of Water

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 0 Comment

As David Raymer points out in his excellent book on the water supply to Port Elizabeth entitled ‘Streams of Life’, “until 1880 the greatest problem [that] the settlement of Port Elizabeth faced was the question of a dependable and adequate supply of fresh water for the residents”.

This blog covers the first attempt to address this challenge.

Main picture: One of the original wells in Port Elizabeth

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Algoa Hotel

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 4 Comments

This hotel has been through a number of iterations over the years and is no more as it has been converted into offices. Over the years this hotel served as the venue for numerous clubs both sporting and social. The reason for the attraction to this venue is unknown but must surely have related to the proprietor’s provision of special facilities such as a large room with plenty of chairs.

It also served as the venue for celebrating the completion of airflight training. Fortunately I have photos and details of the celebrations held in March 1843 by a bunch of Australians on completion of their air gunnery course at 42 Air School based south of Driftsands airport as well as their wartime experiences  

Main picture:  The Algoa House prior to its conversion into the Algoa House Hotel

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: Trinder Square

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 7 Comments

As a young child I had an aversion to trees. Most trees but not the Wild Fig tree. There was something enchanting even mystical about their giant protruding roots. Perhaps this affinity arose due to playing in Trinder Square with its veritable forest of wild fig trees. This arose due to my cousins staying in Pearson Avenue which is no more than a block away.

Main picture: Trinder Square in 1867 

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