The introduction of the iron horse has in many cases superseded other means of locomotion in South Africa, but it often happens that the steel rails are laid in very close proximity to the old roads, which serves to show that the old pioneers made good guesses as to the best routes to get from point to point. The above picture is taken just beyond the Hex River Pass, in the Division of Worcester. The mountains here in winter are frequently covered with snow.

From the profile of the distant mountains, photo looks to have been taken in this vicinity Google Maps

Tags:   Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo

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This picture represents a portion of *Queen's Street, the main thoroughfare (more than two miles in length) of the thriving town. When the railway, now in course of construction from the Graaf Reinet line, connects the division with the railway system of South Africa, and the water scheme, which has received the sanction of the ratepayers, are completed, it is anticipated that the town will double its size in ten years.

*Queen's Street seems to have been renamed Baron van Reede Street

Tags:   Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo

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This is another thoroughfare of Cape Town which has lately undergone remarkable changes. The City Council has done much to improve it ; old-fashioned "stoeps" have had to be removed, pavements constructed, and the street widened, to meet the requirements of increased vehicular traffic. One or two features in this street are worth remarking. The palm trees on the left have been preserved, having been planted over a hundred years ago. There is a Malay mosque on the right, used by the Mohammedan community, and the German Lutheran Church will be observed at the upper end of the street.

Tags:   Cape Town Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo

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The Town Hall, which was designed by Fyfe & Street-Wilson, winners of a competition to find the best architects for the job. On 5 February 1891, Sir Charles Mitchell re-laid a foundation stone originally put in position by Prince Alfred 30 years before, when the first plans for a town hall were drawn up. There was an impressive main hall with a huge organ, a lesser hall, a courtroom and council chamber for the Legislative Assembly, all built from brick and terra-cotta, decorated with ‘broekie-lace’.

This grand structure stood for only seven years before being destroyed by fire, leaving the municipality and various government departments homeless. The original foundation stone was retrieved, and the entire building was re-designed by Street-Wilson & Barr, rebuilt and reopened in 1901 by the Duke of Cornwall and York, who later became King George V. This second town hall is much larger than the first building, with another storey and larger, grander reception rooms and main hall, built in the Flemish Renaissance style with stained glass windows and dome.

Tags:   Pietermaritzburg Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo

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Tags:   Pietermaritzburg Black and White Photo Vintage Photo B & W 19th Century Photo

© All Rights Reserved