Benoni’s history brought back to life

The book is still being written and delves into various aspects of Benoni’s landmarks and compelling facts, such as churches, cemeteries, schools, railways and stations, the history of the Benoni City Times, the Chimes Tavern and the town’s influential people, amongst other matters.

The pages contain ample graphics, photos and the use of modern maps overlaid on old ones, to give you a sense of what was and what still is.

The layout is composed of an introductory section, followed by a history-by-decade, commencing from 1907, when Benoni was granted municipal status, until 2006.

It incorporates a click-to-view additional material format for quick and easy reference.

You select what you want to view in the directory, click on the link and read the desired section.

‘‘This book has been put together by a group of enthusiastic Benoni residents who wish to preserve the historical story of their town in a format that is easy-to-read and simple to reference chronologically,’’ says the book’s editor, Keith Gardiner.

‘‘Long hours of dedicated work went into collecting information, compiling stories, interviewing, researching and putting it all together.

‘‘Not much has been published about our history since the late ’60s, so we also hope to capture the highlights and the lowlights of the period following that era, and it is hoped that the Benoni public will contribute to this cause.’’

Work on the book started about six years ago, when Farrarmere resident Glynis Millett-Clay approached the Benoni Library for historical information.

She wanted to compile a book on the history of Benoni in time for the town’s centenary.

Eight people were roped in and started work on the book.

Today, Millett-Clay and Gardiner are still contributing to the book, with Gardiner typing and editing the information.

People are urged to email information they have about Benoni, specifically personal histories and reminiscences from the 1940s onwards.

You can view the most recent version of the book here

These are some extracts from the book:

•  The first death recorded in the Benoni City Times was that of James Smith, who collided violently with a horse and cart while riding his motor-bicycle in 1921.

•  The first library was opened in 1923, with 3 000 books and 379 members in the first year.

•  The first wedding recorded in the Benoni City Times was between Mr. H. Perry & Miss Florence Archibald, in 1921.

•  The first croquet club was formed in 1924 and the first court opened in 1925, at the Walmesly Park complex.

•  Four farms originally surrounded the Benoni farm and are integral to the history of our town, since they are largely included in the Benoni municipal area and were intrinsically part of the great gold-mining era that started it all.

•  Curiously, the new township of Benoni was laid out entirely on the Kleinfontein farm, to the north of the Kleinfontein/Benoni boundary! The fact that the first gold was found on the Benoni farm and that the developing settlement was generally referred to as Benoni no doubt had something to do with its naming too!