The rich history of Franz Hoenig Haus

By Buli Sonqishe

Set in a gently wooded area amid carefully tended gardens, it is difficult to believe that Franz Hoenig Haus is situated within a stone’s throw of a major chemical manufacturing complex. It once was the largest dynamite factory in the world.

The peace, tranquillity and ‘olde worlde’ atmosphere of the surroundings and of the house itself transport the visitor into times gone by.

To an age of quiet, sophisticated refinement, of gracious ladies and distinguished gentlemen, of faultless cuisine and superior wines, of animated conversation and spirited repartee.

“One of the oldest restored houses in Gauteng, it appears today very much as it did when built by European craftsmen as a residence for Franz Hoenig, Modderfontein factory’s original manager, in 1896,” said Robbie Vermont, membership secretary for Modderfontein Conservation Society.

“Both its name and style of architecture give the clue to the building’s Germanic origins. No wonder Franz Hoenig was Austrian and the builders, masons and carpenters who constructed the house were recruited in Germany. Not three years after the construction of the house was complete, the war clouds gathered and in 1899 the South African War began. With the outbreak of hostilities, gold production in the Transvaal ceased and almost overnight the function of Modderfontein changed. Hoenig’s task of building and commissioning a factory was over and he returned to Germany, leaving his deputy to carry on,” said Robbie.

Records show that life at the factory carried on very much as in peaceful times. There were fewer workers, the majority of whom were citizens of European countries owing no allegiance to either side engaged in the war. However, the conflict was brought to Modderfontein when, in 1900, the Third Cavalry Brigade occupied the property. Behind them, they left a unit known as the South African Constabulary under the command of Maj Gen Baden-Powell, later to become famous as the founder of the Boy Scout movement. Baden-Powell occupied Franz Hoenig’s house during his stay at Modderfontein.

“With the end of the war, mining resumed and Modderfontein’s products were once again in demand. A new factory manager was sent out from Britain to get the factory back on its feet. William Cullen guided the factory from 1901 to 1915,” said Robbie. This residence was occupied by seven successive managers up to 1949 when a new manager was appointed. It was considered that 31 High Street, as it was then called, was too old fashioned. It was certainly a large, rambling and in winter, an extremely cold building.

“A new house was allocated to the factory manager and for two or three years Franz Hoenig Haus remained empty. A housing shortage then prompted the decision to convert the house into three self-contained flats which were occupied by tenants up to 1971 when the house was vacated,” he said.

By this time it was in a dilapidated condition and a decision had to be made about its fate. The obvious decision was to demolish it but there was a school of thought firmly opposed to this which felt that every effort should be made to preserve this historic building. Fortunately, the latter prevailed; the building was completely restored and was used as a guesthouse for distinguished visitors. Today the house is used by companies in the Modderfontein industrial complex as a venue to entertain important customers. It is also available for hire for private functions.

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