Houghton heritage uncovered ahead of nodal review
KILLARNEY – Vice chair of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation Kathy Munro discusses Houghton's rich heritage and uncertain future.
“Heritage is the past that you decide is worth preserving,” said vice chair of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF), Kathy Munro.
She addressed interested Houghton residents as part of a talk entitled, Houghton heritage: A beautiful past and an uncertain future at the Killarney Country Club on 27 March.
The talk comes in the wake of discussions regarding a nodal review set to transform Houghton and see it increase in density to address increased housing needs across the City.
“The question is whether a suburb of this type should survive and whether the heritage of the suburb should be preserved and how,” said Munro.
She said that old houses are not necessarily heritage homes and encouraged residents to engage with the JHF to determine the status of their homes.
Audience members were fascinated by Munro’s talk on the history of the suburb.
Munro explained that Houghton was known as Klipfontein in 1888 and only by 1897 did the Houghton name emerge. Rooted in a mining past, the area was named after a group of men from Maritzburg known as the Houghton Syndicate.
“They tried to dig shafts near where the Killarney Mall is situated today, but this was unsuccessful,” said Munro.
The Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company bought the land for £17 000 (pounds sterling) in 1897 and later sold stands which were developed into large residential properties.
In 1896, St John’s College, with its characteristic stone walls, was founded and later in 1902 King Edward VII School was established.
In photos from 1910, trees were already visible across the area and by 1914, the Upper Houghton area was largely developed.
By 1918, Munro Drive pass was completed, linking Lower Houghton or Houghton Estate with Upper Houghton and Yeoville.
Munro spoke of Houghton as a suburb with an excellent political record, with a desire for Houghton Drive to be named after anti-apartheid activist Helen Suzman. Nelson Mandela also resided in Houghton during his presidency. He also passed away there in 2013.
The Wilds, established in 1924, also became a great joy to Houghton residents and received its blue plaque from JHF this year thanks to the restoration efforts of Killarney resident James Delaney.
“Now, more than ever, you need to take responsibility to know your boundaries and neighbours and give your home a sense of significance.” She also advised residents to raise their objections to demolitions, know their heritage rights and legislation and participate in the nodal review process.
Chair of the Lower Houghton Residents Association Natalie Webb said that they wish to team up with other residents associations to oppose the proposed density for the suburb in the Nodal Review and ask for meaningful public participation on the matter.
Related articles:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/229044/houghton-heritage-uncovered/
