In the article below, journalist Lucille Davie explores the fascinating history of a few of Joburg's Fire Stations. The piece was first published on the City of Joburg's website on 13 November 2003.Click here to view more of Lucille's work.
The two tall, single-trunk gum trees outside the Turffontein Fire Station were ostensibly used by firemen to spot smoke and potential fires in the southern suburbs. But for the firemen there was a much more important function, sufficient to warrant a plaque in the grass alongside all that exists of the trees today – two stumps in the grass.
A rope ladder was strung between the two 30-metre tall trees, which were several metres apart. The ladder went up about five storeys, where a platform had been erected between the trees.
The famous trees
Now an important part of this story is that the Turffontein Race Course is across the road from the Turffontein Fire Station. The Race Course opened for business three years after Johannesburg was established in 1886. Racing had in fact begun only three months after those first gold diggers hit town, on a course marked out between Natalspruit and Von Brandis Square.
But back to the two gum trees. On race days several firemen used to...
