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Germiston

Germiston, city, Gauteng province, South Africa. Germiston lies 5,550 feet (1,690 metres) above sea level and is situated in the Witwatersrand directly southeast of Johannesburg. It is the largest railway junction of South Africa and has substantial rail repair shops. Germiston lies in the heart of the Rand goldfields and was founded in 1886 after the local discovery of gold. It officially became a town in 1903 and a city in 1950.

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St Andrews Church

  • St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church – The cornerstone of this neogothic style church was laid by Lord Milner on 14 March 1905 and officially opened by lord Selbourne, High Commissioner for South Africa and Governor of the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies, on 8 October 1905. The building was proclaimed a National Monument in 1980. Situated in FH Odendaal Street.

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Carnegie Library

  • Carnegie Library – The Carnegie Corporation donated funds towards the erection of a library. The building was designed by the town engineer Mr Bright.  The Carnegie City Library was officially opened on 28 October 1922. The library moved to the civic centre during 1984. The building was then used for various purposes as a restaurant and other entertainment. T was standing empty for a couple of years. A new theatre – Dumisani Masilela Theatre – was build on the premises. The façade of the Carnegie Library was kept and is incorporated internally to the theatre. The building is in President Street.

St Boniface Anglican Church

  • St Boniface Anglican Church – The cornerstone was laid on 30 July 1910 by the Governor-General, Viscount Gladstone. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker in the Romanesque style. Situated on the corner of Simmer and Meyer streets.

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The Cenotaph

  • The Cenotaph – The cenotaph was erected on the market square in front of the previous Carnegie library – now the Dumisani Masilela theatre.   The Germiston and Districts War Memorial   is on the corner of Odendaal and President Strs. Participation of South African citizens in the Great War (World War I 1914-1918) was voluntary. The Germiston Cenotaph was unveiled on 24 October 1924, dedicated "to our Glorious dead." 

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Cuthberts Building

  • Cuthberts Building – Located in President Street next to the railway line. This building was built in an Art Nouveau – Cape Dutch gable style. The building is dated AD 1907.

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Masonic Hotel

  • Masonic Hotel – situated in 48 President Street. The hotel was erected in 1907.

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Wilsons Building

  • Wilsons Building – In 46 President Street adjacent to the Masonic Hotel. The erection date for this building was 1908

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Kings Hotel

  • Kings Hotel – 28 President Street

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Masonic Hall 1906

  • Masonic Hall 1906 – Victoria Street. The building is currently in a bad dilapidated state.

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Alexander Hotel

• Alexander Hotel – between Meyer and President st, - the hotel was built by Alexander Stuart. He died during World War 1 when the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed on 7 May 1915.

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Primrose Farmhouse

  • Old farmhouse cnr Beech and Chestnut St Primrose

• Primrose cemetery

  • • Primrose cemetery – In part of the cemetery there are graves of British and Canadian soldiers. They were killed in action at the Battle of Bakenlaagte in October 1901. They were buried at Bakenlaagte. They were reinterred on 5 October 1964 at Elandsfontein – the Primrose cemetery.

Germiston Central Methodist Church hall

  • Germiston Central Methodist Church hall – Lady Duncan St - The cornerstone was laid by Rev E Bottrill, Rev AA & Mrs Kidwell, Mr & Mrs HW Harrison, H&M Jackson, Mrs EO Leake and H Simpson on 2 May 1937. This building served as the church. A bigger church building was built next to it and now served as a church hall.

Police Station

  • Police Station – Cnr Queen & Jack St – dated 1909 – This building was used as a barracks for the police prior to moving to new premises in Long St.

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Germiston Fire station

  • Angus Street – A Art Deco building dated 1935.  A new fire station was built on the premises. The old building was incorporated on the premises and is in a good state of repairs.

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The Salvation Army Citadel  

  • The Salvation Army Citadel – Meyer Street. The building was officially opened on 14 November 1925 by the wife of Commissioner James Hay.

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Dutch Reformed Church

  • Dutch Reformed Church – Voortrekker Street – This was the “Moedergemeente” for Germiston. The cornerstone was laid on 20 September 1923 The church is now in use by the Seventh Day Adventists.

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Methodist Church Hall

  • Methodist Church Hall – 28 Primula St Primrose – The cornerstone was laid by Rev E Bottrill, Rev AA & Mrs Kidwell, Mr & Mrs HW Harrison on 12 January 1936. This building served as the church. A bigger church building was built next to it and now served as a church hall.

Old Synagogue

  • Old Synagogue – President St Shul – 347 President St. The Germiston and Georgetown Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1903. The architects for this building were Obel and Obel. The foundation stone was laid by Chief Rabbi Dr JL Landau. On 4 June 1930. It is now occupied by ‘the Revelation Spiritual Home’.

Rand Airport

  • ​Rand Airport – Rand Airport Rd – The main terminal building was built in the Art Deco style in 1935. It was opened in August 1935. The main entrance bore the letters RAND between the Speedbird logos of Imperial Airways. The columns bases are shaped by wheels to imitate aircraft undercarriage. The Airport was officially opened on 21 December 1931. It became the headquarters of the South African Airways on 1 July 1935 until 1948.

Germiston High School

  • Germiston High School – Rand Airport Rd – This building was officially opened by the Administrator of Transvaal on 1 August 1923. This building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. The school was established in 1917 as Secondary School Germiston. There is a memorial plaque of 34 old boys who died in World War II.

 1st Masonic Hall Meyer Street

  • Possible 1st Masonic Hall Meyer Street – 22 Meyer St - The hall was ready for use in June 1896. Sources seems to list a SV Mann pre-1910 masonic building in Meyer St.

Parthenon Mansions

  • Parthenon Mansions – Cnr Joubert St & Argyle St – dated 1930 – This building was built in Greek architecture and design. It was built by the property owners Mr and Mrs Nicholas Christelis. It is currently home to historic artefacts and a medical museum.

Church building

  • Church building – Cnr Milne & Hardach St -

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