INCARNATIONS OF A MEMORABLE CORNER

IN 1851 John Frederick Baumann established a grocery and bakery in Durban, in rented premises. In 1883 (the first picture), Baumann bought the vacant plot on the north-east corner of West Street and Brickhill Road and erected this building.

In all the pictures, the road to the left is Brickhill Road (now Sylvester Ntuli) and to the right is West Street (now Pixley kaSeme). At that time it was called Back Beach Road, then Beach Road, then West Street East and finally incorporated as part of West Street in 1945.

In 1895, the building was converted into a double storey with family living quarters on the upper floor. The lantern on the roof, with steps inside, was built so the arrival of ships at the Point carrying incoming materials could be seen. This applied to several buildings in the area at that time. In 1915, the building was burnt down by rioters during World War I. Although Baumann was a British citizen he had a German name and many residents with German connections suffered the same fate.

The company was renamed Bakers Limited. The 1930 picture shows the rebuilt building. A second floor was later added. The building was sold in 1973 and the operations were moved elsewhere. The corner was photographed this month. Thanks to reader L Baumann, who supplied the pictures.

The Independent on Saturday appeals to readers who have old pictures of Durban and other parts of the province to send them to us for consideration. If any readers are featured in the old picture, we will do our best to recreate the scene with them in it again.

Readers sending pictures digitally – images should be about 1MB – can address them, with the relevant information, to satmail@inl.co.za

Pictures in hard copy format can be posted to The Editor, Old Pictures, The Independent on Saturday, Box 47549, Greyville, 4023.