Based on my last blog indicating my lack of historical knowledge, I borrowed a book from my Mom about the history of Pretoria. It was fascinating to read more about the history of the town I grew up in.
What I found particularly interesting was the abundance of wildlife that used to roam the veld. It is actually rather obvious to be honest, however, I didn't put two and two together; places like Koedoespoort and Elandsfontein was so called due to the vast amount of that specific buck found in that particular area.
Growing up, Lion's Bridge was the place to go for garden supplies and advice. Needless to say, Lion's Bridge was so named due to the high number of lions in the area. The newly arrived voortrekkers would go out hunting each weekend and hunt between five and eight each time.
When I looked at the index, I saw there was a chapter about 'Pretoria in the sixties,' I still thought to myself, oh goody that will be interesting to learn more about the swinging '60's in Pretoria. Little did I know that they were referring to the 1860's! Which I should have considered seeing that this book was published in 1938!
Very interesting to learn more and where the street names came from as well. They had quite a lot to say about the possibility of name changes then, can you just imagine what they would have to say about all the new names today! So we move on and grow as communities, towns, cities, provinces and a country.
