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Dundee

Dundee was laid out in 1882. Proclaimed a borough in 1902. Named after Dundee in Scotland, birthplace of the founder Thomas Patterson Smith, owner of the farms Talana and Dundee. Was a major mining town for iron ore and coal deposits.

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Talana Battlefield

  •  The battle of Talana Hill was the Boer’s first attack on the British garrison in Dundee on 20 October 1899. In the cemetery are the military graves for those who died in this battle. The Boers succeeded in occupying the town. Major General Penn Symons, the commanding officer of the British died close by.

  • The museum host the history of the coal mines of Dundee

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Methodist Church,

  • Methodist Church, 17 Gray St – now the AGS Church – the cornerstone was laid by Mrs J White on 26 November 1889 and inaugurated in 1892.

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Boswells

  • Boswells, 74 Gladstone st, – previously Masonic Hall – was built in 1898 as the Biggarsberg Unity lodge. The 1902 treason trials of the Natal rebels were held here. Purchased in 1935 by Ralph Boswell Robertson, MP, a wholesale and retail merchant. Used as a cinema as well. Declared a National Monument in 1989.

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Original Magistrate Court House

  • Original Magistrate Court House – cnr Gladstone and Beaconsfield – The original courthouse built in 1889 – now part of the Police station complex. Declared a Provincial Heritage Site.

St James Anglican church

  • St James Anglican church, between Ann and Gladstone str – Completed in 1898. the churchyard cemetery contains 6 military graves. Included the grave of Major-General Penn-Symons who died on 23 October 1899 at Talana.

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War Memorial

  • War Memorial – Cnr Karel Landman and Victoria streets – This memorial commemorates the men from Dundee and surrounding areas who lost their lefes during the great war 1914-1918.

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Enterprise building

  • Enterprise building – now part of Spar – erected in 1906. This building housed the original Johnstone and Keith building merchants.

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Third Masonic Lodge

  • Masonic Lodge, Beaconsfield St- 1930

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Court House

  • Court House, Beaconsfield St – 1903 – The main entrance bears the monogram of Edward VII. Mohandas Gandhi was tried in this court in 1908 and 1913. Now part of Mahatma Gandhi Museum

St Phillips Church

  • St Phillips Church, cnr Boundary and Grey st – the cornerstone was laid on 2 April 1884 – now used as a Church hall

The Mews

  • The Mews - cnr Gladsone and Beaconsfield – 1902/24 – originally a bakery belonging to Fred Williams.

Trinity Presbyterian church,

  • Trinity Presbyterian church, cnr Beaconsfield and King Edward – the foundation stone was laid by Ann Smith in March 1902

Power station

  • Power station, McKenzie st – Replacing a wood and iron building which supplied the town with electricity since 1902, the power station was reconstructed in 1928

Dundee theatre

  • Dundee theatre, Gladstone st - Build in 1923 by Mr Atwell after it became costly for him at Bothwells. He retired 1n 1929 and the last bioscope show was held on 30 Sept 1929.

Ebenezer Press

  • Ebenezer Press, McKenzie St – 1912 -The inscription on the gable of this building “Soli Deo Gloria” – to God alone the glory – In 1901 the Rev Norenius decided that the Betania mission needed printed Zulu hymn books and other literature. He appealed to the Swedish Mission Council for assistance. A building on the mission property was made available and with the help of a printer in Dundee the Ebenezer Press started life. 

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Dutch Reformed Church,

  • Dutch Reformed Church, cnr Beaconsfield and Wilson st – the architects were Gerhard Moerdyk and Wynand Louw. Cornerstone dated 5 May 1921.

Dundee Club

  • Dundee Club, Gladstone st – 1926. For years the regular meeting place for many Dundee businessmen.

Masonic Hall

  • Masonic Hall – now Stok’s Building, cnr Ann and McKenzie st – built in 1892. In April 1903 the “Talana” lodge, a Scottish lodge was instituted in Dundee. They took over and used this building as their Masonic hall. Purchased in 1917 for a butter factory and eventually became part of Clover.

Ebenezer Mission

  • Ebenezer Church Mission complex, school and parsonage and military cemetery, McKenzie St – the Church Of Sweden start mission work at Dundee. The mission was later moved to this premises with a school, parsonage in 1897 and Ebenezer church in 1898. n the military cemetery, 15 British soldiers and 4 Boers, whom died of wounds in the hospital building near the church– now a Weslyan church.

Subrahmanya Temple

  • Subrahmanya Temple, Browning St – These buildings were constructed between 1910 and 1945

Dundee High School

  • Dundee High School, Tatham Str – the school complex was in use from 1907. School hall was built in 1934 on recommendation from the Minister of Education, JH Hofmeyr.

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