It’s difficult to believe that this magnificent old home, once stood high on the east bank of the Buffalo Harbour, East London. The grounds included lawn tennis courts and a small bowling green. It was the focal point of Victoriana and…
Green Point camping enclave, was tucked against the bank of the river, well out of inclement weather. Fondly remembered by scores of ‘old East Londoners’ the stories of their adventures are fascinating. Overheard conversations, “we used…
The ‘tender’ (passenger boat on the left) owned by The Union Castle Line. She was much bigger that the Koodoo, a previous boat, and was eventually relocated, or sold off, once the turning basin had opened up. The mail ships could enter…
East London beach front near east beach, the circus came town, every year. Circa late 1930’s, it would stay for a month, just prior to the busy summer holidays, as the grounds would then be for holiday campers. It has been suggested, that…
Despite the many large hotels along the beachfront, the town was extremely popular as a summer holiday resort. The entire stretch from near the harbour area, to east beach, hosted tents. Families holidayed for a month or more, in those…
East London Green Point Tea Garden, down the Buffalo River. This exquisite pavilion type building hosted genteel Sunday teas. The area in its heyday, was a must for gatherings, which included leisurely rowing boat rides down the river.…
East London aquarium, in exquisite ‘sepia’ photography-card’, The aquarium is the oldest in South Africa. Officially opened on the 2nd of December 1931, this makes it the oldest public aquarium in Southern Africa, 87 years, to be exact.…
Landing basket, or ‘Bosuns Chair’- used for many years by ships to carry passengers from ship to land, often too- from ship to ship in mid-sea. They were around from the early 1800’s, and as yet often used in a slightly different…
Endlessly changing, East London Buffalo Harbour. The barge, Anne, “a tug-towing”– with two Barques, moored at the dockside in the distance. A hand tinted postcard from England. Circa 1900-1901. The harbour not yet completed, although…
We will be taking you on a weekly, iconic journey through ‘old East London’ and possibly stir up memories of a gentle era in the beautiful city. We begin at the beachfront area, stopping to snack at the now renowned, Windmill Roadhouse.…
