While searching for more info on my new treasures came across the museum of photography in Newtown.
every month they post relevant old photos, thought I would share October with you.
October
October is Transport Month, in which the government and other organisations aim to address issues around road safety, accessibility, public transport infrastructure, and sustainability. For this month, Museum Africa looks at some of the different early modes of transport in Johannesburg and Gauteng.
‘Parking ground, Loveday Street south, c1955’
The first motorcar to run in South Africa was a Benz Voiturette, and it received a rather lukewarm welcome. However, by the mid-1950s, Johannesburg residents had over 117,000 motorcars between them. Makes such as Austin, Hillman, Chrysler, Buick, Studebaker, Citroën and Morris would have graced the city’s roads.
The first motorcar to run in South Africa was a Benz Voiturette, and it received a rather lukewarm welcome. However, by the mid-1950s, Johannesburg residents had over 117,000 motorcars between them. Makes such as Austin, Hillman, Chrysler, Buick, Studebaker, Citroën and Morris would have graced the city’s roads.
'Horse tram of the ‘Toast Rack’ type, 1898'
From c1891 to February 1906, Johannesburg streets were traversed by horse-drawn trams, pulling passenger coaches on metal wheels and tracks. Two of the outer tram terminals on the service were those of Fordsburg and Bree Street. Operated by the Johannesburg City and Suburban Tramway Limited, in 1906 the tram system was converted to electrical power, thus decreasing the strain taken on the horses as they tried to negotiate the increasingly steep and windy roads of a rapidly developing and expanding Johannesburg.
From c1891 to February 1906, Johannesburg streets were traversed by horse-drawn trams, pulling passenger coaches on metal wheels and tracks. Two of the outer tram terminals on the service were those of Fordsburg and Bree Street. Operated by the Johannesburg City and Suburban Tramway Limited, in 1906 the tram system was converted to electrical power, thus decreasing the strain taken on the horses as they tried to negotiate the increasingly steep and windy roads of a rapidly developing and expanding Johannesburg.
'Zebra…coach, c1890'
In the nineteenth century, an inter-town mail coach service based in Pietersburg (now called Polokwane) called Zeederberg and Co. used a mixed team of zebras and mules to pull its loads from Pretoria and the Northern Transvaal across the border to Botswana and Zimbabwe. Zebras were later abandoned as transport, as they were regarded as being too difficult to discipline, and too stubborn to control.
In the nineteenth century, an inter-town mail coach service based in Pietersburg (now called Polokwane) called Zeederberg and Co. used a mixed team of zebras and mules to pull its loads from Pretoria and the Northern Transvaal across the border to Botswana and Zimbabwe. Zebras were later abandoned as transport, as they were regarded as being too difficult to discipline, and too stubborn to control.
Interesting ?????
What a great find!! That's very interesting Marianne!! While the first two are interesting in a general way, they can be seen to be fairly widespread in cities all over the world. The last one, however, is pretty unique!!A coach service using zebra and mules is something I've never heard of before!! I was amused and unsurprised to discover it was quickly abandoned due to the difficulties training the zebra. LOL.
ReplyDeletethe whole site is so interesting, I find pictures of Central Johannesburg in 1908, totally covered in snow. Amazing. Send the lady who runs it a mail with pics of my new find asking if she can help me find out more Holding thumbs.
DeleteThis is great! I added your new URL. :) good morning :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marci, how are you ?? Will pop over now now and add you to mine. Huuuugs !
DeleteWhat a fantastic find Marianne. Yes, very interesting. Like Mitch I got a surprise to see the Zebra Coach, when thinking about it I thought why not indeed!!! A good use of natural resources.
ReplyDeleteI hope the lady can help you with your new find too.
Huggles.
Hi Shayna, how are you ?? Zebra are notoriously difficult to tame and to train. They are unpredictable and kick and bite, presume that is why they gave up the idea. Though properly they got the idea in the first place due to the African Horse Sickness that used to wipe out whole battalions horses, brought over from England by ship.
ReplyDelete