Pretoria, the Metropolis of the South African Republic, has been characterised as an exceedingly dull town, there being a notable absence of that life and bustle observable in Johannesburg. The Boer Government having in its employment a large number of Europeans, and the High Court being held in the city, rendered the erection of a club for the use of its citizens imperative; the above picture represents the building, which is one of the best in South Africa.
Tags: Pretoria Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo
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This handsome and imposing structure, completed in 1889, has a frontage 175 feet wide, a depth of 220 feet from the ground to the top of the figure of liberty. It contains two Chambers for the Volksraad, the President's and all the Public Offices of the State. The first Volksraad Chamber, in which portraits of President Kruger, Commandant-General Joubert, and General Smit are placed, is a spacious hall 64 feet wide and 42 feet high; the Second Chamber is 44 feet by 44 feet. On the ground floors there are fire-proof rooms, where the State archives and registers are deposited. The buildings are erected from designs by Mr. Sytze Wierda, a Dutch immigrant and the Government Architect, at a total cost of £138,000.
Looks like a bit of 19th century 'photoshopping', bottom left.
Sytze Wierda
Tags: Pretoria Raadzaal Church Square Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo
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Near Waterval Boven Station the gradient is so steep that a cog-wheel attachment has been constructed to ensure greater safety. The road to the entrance of the tunnel is interesting: here the incline is tremendous, but the greatest care is taken and every precaution adopted against any eventuality. With a cog-wheel engine at one end and a powerful locomotive at the other there is little danger. The train rushes into a wonderful cutting of sheer granite 200 feet (61m) high. Six minutes are occupied in passing through the tunnel. On emerging into daylight on the other side a beautiful scene presents itself: great towering precipices, 600 to 800 feet in height (183 to 244m), with the Elands River sparkling and galloping over numerous boulders at the base of the hill, fringed with semi-tropical palms, thick bushes and ferns, the homes of tigers [sic] and baboons.
Tags: Waterval Boven Netherlands-Delagoa Bay Railway RailwayTunnel Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo
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Postcard View
Amongst the leading institutions of the town, founded by Mr. J. B. Robinson, one of the pioneers of the Rand. It is a handsome block, situated in Market Square at the corner of Simmonds Street.
Tags: Johannesburg Robinson Bank Simmonds Street Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo
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This spacious square, as usual in South Africa, is situated right in the heart of the town, and contains in its centre the handsome and admirably-arranged Market Buildings. It was here that the great Reform demonstrations were mostly held towards the end of 1895; but now the square is devoted to the more peaceful object for which it was originally laid out, and during the morning and forenoon it presents a bewildering assortment of wagons, carts, hand-barrows, booths, stalls and all other manner of movables. It is the largest market square in South Africa, being about the same size as the Grand Parade, Cape Town. Besides the Market Buildings, it contains many handsome structures such as Henwood's Building, extending to Pritchard Street, with a superb arcade running through, and the new buildings of the Chamber of Mines, of the National Bank, Post Office, &c.
Tags: Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo
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