George Harrison Park

Over the last few weeks there has been considerable discussion about the shocking state of George Harrison Park in Langlaagte (the site commemorating the discovery of the largest goldfield on earth). In the following thought-provoking piece Gavin Whitfield, geological consultant and author, argues that we should 'not waste further effort on maintaining this important heritage site as it is...'

History

According to the memorial stones at the still-imposing stonework gateway (see main pic), the park was officially opened to the public on 4th October 1947, on the 61st anniversary of the proclamation of the farm Langlaagte as a public digging. The park was created and named to commemorate the official discovery of the gold-rich Main Reef pebble conglomerate by itinerant Australian prospector George Harrison in early 1886.  According to the records the park forms part of two claims* (No. 19 and 21) which were granted to George Harrison and his prospecting partner George Walker respectively by G. C. Oosthuizen, owner of Portion A of Langlaagte farm, in terms of mining law at the time. The site became a National Monument in 1944 and in terms of current heritage legislation is now considered a Provincial Heritage Site. (As an aside Harrison soon sold his claim for £10 and disappeared).

(* a gold claim was a 150 x 400 Cape feet; 1 Cape foot = 1. 033 English foot)

The gateway was erected by the City Council of Johannesburg “in honour of the pioneers of the Witwatersrand goldfields”. Also on site there was a 10-stamp mill (under a slate roof) that came from...

In 2013 we ran a depressing story about George Harrison Park - the site commemorating the discovery of the largest gold field on earth. It appears as though things have got even worse. Below are a few comments from leading author and geological consultant Gavin Whitfield.

On 6 September I took an IMA group of 33 geotourists on a Witwatersrand field trip. One of the stops was at George Harrison Park, the geological site commemorating the discovery of the Main Reef and Leader in early-1886. As you know this discovery led to the proclamation of what became the Central Rand Goldfield and the founding of Johannesburg in late-1886. As such it is an iconic Johannesburg landmark that needed conservation and protection.

What I found was a disgusting mess, and on the verge of being lost for the future. I was embarrassed to take the visitors around and I kept our time there as short as possible. The old mine workings are now the home of the zama-zamas (illegal miners) who are apparently “working” the remaining reef in the close-by Central Rand Gold open-pit. If there was any significant level of gold in the old exposures I’m sure that they would have been mined as well. All metal railings within the old workings have been removed (stolen) making it dangerous as well.

Despite a prior assurance from Joburg City Parks the site had not been cleaned and there was no visible security. I guess they have bigger things to worry about. But the illegal miners were absent so some action may have...

A few weeks ago (late September 2013) we paid a depressing visit to George Harrison Park in Langlaagte, the site of the discovery of the largest gold field on earth. The Geological Society's Blue Plaque has been removed, building rubble is scattered around the main entrance, the panels revealing the significance of the site have been damaged by fire and the main memorial looks battered to say the least. It is incredibly sad to see one of the most important heritage sites in South Africa looking so neglected.

The fire marked memorial

Battered Main Memorial (The Heritage Portal)

The poor state of the site is not a recent phenomenon. Residents and tour companies have been complaining for years while authorities continue to grapple with problems like vandalism and fire damage from vagrants in a resource scarce environment. (Some may remember drastic measures having to be taken by Eric Itzkin, the Deputy Director of Immovable Heritage, to save the Langlaagte Stamp Battery that was being used as source of firewood. Thankfully the Battery stands proudly in the Main Street Mining Mall today.)

In 2010 things were looking...