The History of Alberton

(In 1918 “Dorpsaal” was built)

Who would have thought that the first sight of Alberton would have been 2 barefooted young boys sent ahead to scan the countryside for possible grazing or better water. Although they were not the first ones to see this lush green landscape and rising dolomite ridge hunters were there before with their stone tools and enjoyed this sight. Afterwards the area was filled with goats, cattle, women and children. Entire villages were built and cattle kraals. Unfortunately, drought and guns from the coast made the stay not safe and the families moved after better hunting, grazing and water.

Three hundred years later another young man noticed this beautiful valley. His name Jan Meyer. 13-year-old head of his family after the death of his father and eldest brother. This farm was named Elandsfontein. He also bought Klipriviersberg and built a new home for his family. These were exciting times with the gold and diamond diggings and Jan Meyer was appointed veldkornet for the Kliprivier area. In 1883 Jan Meyer was asked by President Paul Kruger to investigate the possibility of gold on a ridge north of Klipriviersberg. While surveying this area he found an unregistered area which he named Randjieslaagte. This was the beginning of Johannesburg, only they did not realise what this would mean for the future. Although Jan Meyer was very rich he sold out and moved back to this farm. Jan Meyer was left lame after a hunting accident and his magnificent homestead built in 1891 was not touched by the British authorities and is today the most striking of Alberton’s stately homes. He was also a founder member of the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society and the Vise-President until his death. Johannes Petrus (Jan) Meyer left a legacy of wisdom and profound knowledge of the Bible.

The name Alberton derived from several movements:

General Alberts made some land available for a new community. The Alberts Syndicate bought the ground and divided it up for sale. A Pound a month until hundred and twenty pounds were paid off. This bought a property of 100 sq. ft.

Jan’s mother declined her name being mentioned in the new name, and since the Meyer family had come from Prince Albert with Gen Alberts being the initiator of the project the families agreed on the name Alberton.

The 1st family to buy into these terms of ownership was Jakobus Johannes van der Merwe of Barclay East. They moved onto erf no 1 in December 1903 and lived in a tent until the house was built. Mrs van der Merwe or Aunt Let became the first midwife in Alberton. Although the birth-rate was not a problem, general health was. A health Committee was established in 1905.

Water was a problem. Natalspruit was a wetland and caused serious trouble with traffic to Germiston. A borehole was also drilled to help with the shortage in households. A new train-track between Alberton and Germiston was secured with the backing of the syndicate.

Then the war 1910-1920. As it dragged to the end the Spanish Flu hit, schools were closed and public places deserted. Piet Krogh erected a tent in front of his property where black patients were examined and treated by visiting doctors. His son, a voluntary nursing assistant, did home calls. Close on 300 Alberton people got the flu and recorded 12 deaths. No permanent doctors in Alberton at that stage. Piet Krogh for first Justice of

Peace and served as a member of the Germiston Hospital. He also started the first butchery, and his wife Anna was a founder member of Vrouefederasie. Their eldest daughter became the first organ player in the Sinkkerkie little corrugated iron church and the only music teacher for a very long time.

Old Lala was a well-known personality living in Germiston but walked every day to Alberton with a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables which he sold to early residents. This happened in 1903. Twice a week he would buy his supplies from Indian Wholesalers in Johannesburg and sold his wares on a route through Rosherville Jupiter and Alberton. In those days a big family could spend 2/6 – 50c today – for the goods for the entire week. Although he was in a position to get his family into the country, he was not allowed to own his own business within the original township limits. The Meyer farm situated on the eastern border allowed the Lala families to own businesses there. A Grocery store and next generation men’s outfitters was established. Old Lala preferred to sell his vegetables from his cart until he died in 1946.

1918.

The first Alberton factory was built between Alberton and Germiston. Mr John Atmore placed his Atmore Torch Company in the northeastern part of town facing towards the station. He produced a cheesa, meaning hot in mining slang, or roman candle, a type of slow burning flare almost impossible to extinguish and used underground in the mines.

In 1926 a motorcycle rider, a qualified medical doctor Dr Hope Trant became the town’s first medical practitioner. She qualified in Dublin and studied at University of Witwatersrand and also taught the women of Alberton first aid.

Lill Bester had taken the post of Postmistress in 1917 at the Overbury Store.

In 1926 a brand-new Post Office was built and Lill Bester stayed in her position for 21 years.

Prior to 1917 Little Charles collected mail in Germiston on horseback to deliver the same to a general dealer Mr Riordan’s house where the mail was picked up.

In 1943 land was bought from the farm Roodekop and the industrial area was called Alrode (Alberton and Roodekop) CJ Fuchs Pty was the first company that built here. The low-lying area and the wetlands made it no easy task. The company had to move fast as the South African Air Force needed repairs to their Harvard aircraft. The first building took them 20 days to build and the second and third ones followed shortly. The Air Force was not their only business and when war ended in 1945, they had sufficient manufacturing agreements with Electrolux and Westinghouse.

The house in van Riebeeck Ave, built circa 1911, was the second Police Office in Alberton. Next to the house were stables for the police horses. Each police officer was responsible for the feeding and well-being of his own horse.

The Shell garage in Voortrekker Street is one of the first petrol stations in the town. It was named Albert Service Station after the first owner, Albert Terblanche./ In the 1940s the Basson family bought the garage, and it is still in the family - for three generations.

The “McDade” house in Alberton North is one of the only three remaining houses built with corrugated iron. It was built circa 1910 for Robert McDade, secretary and health inspector. For decades his daughter, Mavis Barnes lived in the house.

(Credit photos and information - Heritage Association & Caxton Carina vd Walt)

Thank You Carina for being so great with all the information you shared.

Then I want to specially thank Francois & Petro Lottering for the book on Alberton that helped me a lot. Francois has such an amazing "museum" of South Africa. Alberton is lucky to have you guys.