A different view on current affairs & history
Most visitors to this tea garden / B&B / function venue do not appreciate that fact that portion of the buildings could represent the oldest building in the Port Elizabeth district. This is the untold story of its origin and its future owners.
Main picture: Chelsea Cottage painted by Waldon Arbouin Harries in 1855
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The first sale of park lands took place on 16 September 1863. The income from the sale of the lots was to be used for the development and maintenance of the St. George’s Park. The first owners to build on these lots were Samuel Bain and William Pattinson. They were regarded as “living in the country” because their homes were some distance from the town.
This blog and subsequent blogs on houses in this street were supplied by Tennyson Smith Bodill for which I am grateful.
Main picture: This 1907 shows Samuel Bain’s house is on the left of Nazareth House
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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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