Port Elizabeth of Yore: The T. Birch & Co Story

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 7 Comments

The employees of this venerable establishment will undoubtedly be offended if their shops were referred to a clothing stores. This would lump them together with retailers such as Mr Price, Jet or Ackermans. Instead they should be referred to as outfitters which more befits their role and image in establishment circles in Port Elizabeth.

This is a succinct history of this 150-year-old establishment which still has ties back to its founder, Mr Trenley Birch. 

Main picture: Mr Trenley Birch, founder of T. Birch & Co

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: William Alcock-A Prominent Resident with Eclectic Interests

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 2 Comments

Apart from being the first person to own a motor car in Port Elizabeth, William Alcock was also the first Mayor of the garden town, Walmer, south of its larger sibling, Port Elizabeth. Even though he was a tinsmith by training, he had extremely eclectic interests and was imbued with an entrepreneurial spirit to boot. He was a member of the Photographic Society, the Athenaeum Society, the Museum and the Port Elizabeth Automobile Club. In addition, his civic duties related to the Walmer Municipality, first as a member, then Chairman in 1891 and finally first Mayor in 1899. 

This blog highlights one of Port Elizabeth’s early civic leaders who also had manifold interests in diverse fields.

Main picture: William Alcock on left and son Arthur on the right

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Feathermarket Hall

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 0 Comment

This hall epitomises the agricultural origins of Port Elizabeth. In 1863, a wool market had already been established on the site of the temporary Trinity Church on the corner of Baakens Street and Military Road. With the advent of the thriving sale of ostrich feathers, a market was required, preferably close to the harbour, at which the feathers could be auctioned. Over the years the industry declined, and other uses of it had to be found. To this end, the hall was converted for use as a concert hall or for other public gatherings.   

Main picture: Original sketch of the Feather Market Hall by WH Miles on the Official Guide of the SA Exhibition

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Athenaeum

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 0 Comment

The 1850s can be categorised as a defining period in the early history of Port Elizabeth. Now that the focus of the inhabitants was no longer survival whether eking out a living or building their homes, Port Elizabeth was in the throes of stirrings of civic pride, and the desire and need for cultural and sporting activities. Foremost amongst cultural activities, was the need for a society to promote science and literature. To this end, the Athenaeum Society was founded. 

Main picture: Athenaeum Institute shortly after its erection in 1896  Continue reading

Pearson Conservatory in decay despite upgrade

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 0 Comment

This article first appeared in the The Heritage Portal Newsletter Number45/2017

Six years after the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spent R5.5-million renovating the Pearson Conservatory at St George’s Park, the historical building is falling apart, with paint peeling and window frames broken.

Main picture: Peeling paint and broken window frames at the Pearson Conservatory. Picture: Devon Koen

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Port Elizabeth of Yore: Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 1 Comment

Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin was the point man for the British Empire in the Cape of Good Hope at the time of the arrival of the 1820 British Settlers. In his letters, Donkin reveals himself to be a kindly man unlike the cold autocrat that was Lord Charles Somerset. Furthermore, they reflect a desire to assist the colonists. In fact, he was not prepared to sacrifice principles for his own advancement. For these reasons, the Settlers were most fortunate in having him rather than Somerset in charge at this momentous period in the affairs of the Cape.

Main picture: Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin

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Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are part of the Problem, Not the Solution

By Dean McCleland in Rhodesia / Zimbabwe 0 Comment

Deeply compromised like their mentor Robert Mugabe, neither Mnangagwa nor Chiwenga are part of the solution. Rather they are part of the problem. On attaining power in 1980, ZANU rapidly revealed that its espoused democratic principles were merely a veneer with Mugabe’s enforcers being Chiwenga and Mnangagwa. 

Main picture: Emerson Mnangagwa

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