Despatch (F16)

Name:Despatch

Originally developed in 1942, Despatch is regarded as a relatively young town. Despatch officially obtained municipal status in 1945. The name of the town was derived from the brick industry, as it was from a railway siding (later known as “Hitler’s Halt”) in the late 1800’s near Uitenhage, that the bricks were “dispatched” or rather, “despatched’. Many of the older buildings and houses in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage were built with these very bricks. Sadly, the brick business is now a remnant of the past. Offering the charm of a rural town in the heart of a city, Despatch currently has a resident population of approx. 38 000.

Despatch Museum

1a Church Street, tel / fax: 041 933 3177. Cell: 082 305 9366 Curator (Attie Pretorius). Open Tue. and Sat. 09h00 to 12h00, and on Thur. 14h00 to 17h00.

Part of a long-term vision, an initiative of the “Friends of Despatch” brought about the Despatch Museum. The interior boasts a mini model of the Stegasaurus, which was discovered in Despatch in 1903 (the original dinosaur is currently on display at Bayworld). Alongside it, are examples of the original bricks produced in the town, as well as a further two models of beautiful, red brick chimneys built by a former town engineer. Given the fact that many well-known South African sportsmen hail from Despatch, numerous sporting memorabilia festoon the walls of the Museum. These include six rugby Springbok blazers, along with the jackets of two South African cricket umpires and the running gear of a Comrades Marathon winner. Names such as Danie Gerber, Adri Geldenhuys, Rudi Koertzen and Charl Matthys, amongst others, are synonymous with Despatch.

Despatch Chimney Brickworks
De Mist / Genot Streets.

Built in 1882, the brick chimney was part of the once flourishing brickworks in Despatch. It can still be viewed, standing tall and serene in a field on the outskirts of the town, alongside the railway track.

For more info and photos go to the source site:
http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/Fifaworldcup/Content.aspx?objID=61

Google count:
Date:

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

Where to stay: