Lu-Gerda's Travels

Port Elizabeth has some lovely old buildings from the 19th century.  It may not seem very old compared to some European buildings but it is some of the oldest in South Africa.  Some are in a very good condition but most (in the city center) are neglected and are falling apart.  Here are some of the buildings that are looked after.  Most of them was built as houses but are now used by businesses. The Athenaeum Club The Athenaeum Club was founded in 1850’s to promote cultural activities. The building was opened in 1896 and was declared a National Monument in 1980.  It is now the Little Theatre. Pembridge House (13 Bird Street) This house was built in 1844 and was altered in 1880’s.   It is named after the London address of the merchant who lived in the house in the 19 th century.   Currently it is used as an office for attorney’s. The Port Elizabeth Club This was the first gentlemen’s club in Port Elizabeth.   The clu...

Fort Frederick, the stone fort in Port Elizabeth, was built in 1799.   It overlooks Algoa Bay and the mouth of the Baakens River.   It was built by troops to protect the bay against a possible landing of the French troops coming to assist the “rebels” in Graaff-Reinet who wanted independence from the Cape.   It was named after Frederick, Duke of York and the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. Inside the fort are a powder magazine and a blockhouse, which lost its timber upper storey.   When we visited there were homeless people sleeping inside the fort.   The blockhouse was used as a bathroom and had an awful smell.   We only went to the entrance and did not enter the blockhouse.  Block House  Powder Magazine The fort also has a collection of muzzle-loaders dating from the later part of the 18 th century.   The fort was manned until 1862 and until today no shots were fired in anger from this fort.   There is ...

Walking up Castle Hill in Port Elizabeth we reached the Prince Alfred’s Guard Drill Hall. The Drill Hall was opened in 1882 and the first floor was added in 1893.   It is the headquarters of the Prince Alfred’s Guard Regiment (PAG).   It was declared a National Monument in 21 February 1992. The PAG Regiment is one of the oldest volunteer regiments in South Africa.   It started as the Port Elizabeth Volunteer Rifle Corps in 1856.   The name changed in 1860 when they provided protection for Prince Alfred (Queen Victoria’s son) when he visited Port Elizabeth. The Victorian style Drill Hall houses the regimental museum and military exhibits.   It is open to visitors when it is convenient for the staff and there is no entry fee.   It was open when we visited and we went inside for a look. Some of the items on display: Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Parade A painting from photographs of the parade in Port Elizabeth on 21 June 1887 for Que...

We walked past the Feather Market Center and continued up with the hill.   We did not realize that we were already in Castle Hill Street.   This street has a few interesting houses.   They are original Settler Houses from the 1820’s and are National Heritage Site . No 7 Castle Hill This house was built for Rev Francis McCleland after land was granted to him in 1827.   He was the first Colonial Chaplain in Port Elizabeth.   The house is one of the oldest is Port Elizabeth and has been restored.   It is now a museum but we did not have time to visit the museum.   No 10 & No 12 Castle Hill These beautiful single storey cottages with slate roofs are typical Settler houses.   They were built in the 1830’s and originally were the property of Constable William Sterley.   No 10 Castle Hill No 12 Castle Hill Some of the other houses in this street were not so lucky.   They stand empty and neglected. ...

I have been thinking back to my first trip oversees to Europe.  It is almost exactly 4 year ago that we boarded a plane ready to explore the unknown.  I will start at the beginning... Early in 2008 my friend Lelanie and I decide we wanted to visit Europe.   Both of us wanted to do this for a long time.   I did not want to go alone and finding the right travel partner can be tricky.   We started talking about going on a tour and next thing I knew our plane tickets and contiki tour was booked.   We left Mossel Bay early on Thursday 12 June 2008 with a bus to Cape Town.   It was a 5-hour bus ride.   A friend picked us up and took us to the Tygervalley shopping center.   We had a few hours before our flight.   We watched a movie and ate some food before leaving for the airport.   My brother Erik came to the airport to see us off. Our flight left at 18:10 from Cape Town to Dubai.   It was the first time we left S...

The Campanile and Feather Market Center in Port Elizabeth was also sights on the Donkin Heritage Trail. Campanile This 51.8-meter high brick tower was completed in 1923 to commemorate the centenary of the landing of the 1820 British Settlers in South Africa. It was declared a National Heritage Site in 1989.   It was modeled on a Venetian campanile and was built close to the spot where the first 4000 British Settlers landed with their boats in Port Elizabeth. You can climb the Campanile’s 204 steps to a viewing platform and bells.   There is no fee but a donation is welcome.   (We decided not to climb the stairs having already seen the view from the top of The Hill Lighthouse) Feather Market Center This building was built between 1883 and 1885 to use for auctions.   It was used to sell ostrich feathers, wool, fruits etc.   In 1908 an office extension was added and it was declared a National Heritage Site in 1981.   In 1991 ...

Walking from the Port Elizabeth City Hall towards the harbour and railway station there are two old buildings The Old Post Office HS Greaves designed the Old Post Office in 1897.   It was opened to the public on 25 June 1900 but was only completed in 1902.   It is behind the City Hall in Fleming Square and the 41m-high tower can be seen from far.   It was declared a National Heritage Site on 26 October 1984. This building now stands empty and neglected with graffiti painted on the doors and grass growing in the gutters.   It is sad to see a beautiful building being wasted. The Old Harbour Board Building The cornerstone of this building was laid on 14 January 1904.   The outside of the three-story Art Nouveau building is beautiful with all the decorations.   Inside there is a wooden staircase to the second floor.   It was declared a National Monument on 2 August 1968.   It was also known as “The White Building” and was used b...