Road Trip Day 30. Port Elizaberh - memories and history.

We've been in Port Elizabeth two weeks now and have only been to the beach once.

Both Brian and I have lived in PE at some time during our past. We've visited before as we both have family here.
http://fuzzypandaonthemove.blogspot.co.za/2014/12/christmas-cheer-and-sardinia-bay.html
http://fuzzypandaonthemove.blogspot.co.za/2014/12/schoenmakers-kop_27.html
http://fuzzypandaonthemove.blogspot.co.za/2014/12/release-of-penguins.html

We decided to go for a picnic to Settlers Park which Brian had not gone to since before we were married. When we got there, it didn't feel safe to us. There were 2 beaten up combi taxis and about 2 other cars.  2 Homeless people (apparently they are called Valley People in Port Elizabeth)sat on two separate benches. We phoned our relatives and were told it probably was unwise to walk alone there. The Donkin Memorial site would be a safer bet.

Facing the Donkin is the Grey Institute building. When I was 11, our family moved to Port Elizabeth and I went to the Albert Jackson School in that building.

In the 1850's a large grant was made for the establishment of a school in Port Elizabeth which became known as the Grey Institute. It was completed in 1859. By 1900 the school had about a thousand pupils.  The building became too small for so many pupils and in 1915 the school moved to more spacious premises in Mill Park.

This building became the Pearson High School (1928 to 1941) and later the Albert Jackson Primary school.
It was sold to the Mediterranean Shipping Company a couple of years ago and restored to its former glory.

We hope to be able to look inside once the New Year festivities are over.

The Donkin Reserve was proclaimed an open space in perpetuity by Sir Rufane Donkin. His wife, Elizabeth, after whom the city is named, died at the age of 28, leaving behind a seven month old baby. A pyramid monument was erected by Rufane in her honour. The lighthouse was built in 1861 and now houses the Tourist Information Centre.

On the way home we passed the Horse Memorial.