NITTY GRITTY

• Florida — part of the original farm of Vogelstruisfontein (which dates back to 1864) — was one of several West Rand towns developed shortly after gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand in 1886. • As early as 1887, the area was regarded as a “beauty spot”. According to the City of Johannesburg’s Arts, Culture and Heritage website, it was (probably) named from the Spanish word “florida” (flower) because the town surveyor was “impressed by the profusion of wild flowers blooming in the valley”. The picturesque nature of the thentown was confirmed when, in 1909, a dam wall was raised on the local spruit, forming Florida Lake. • Greater Florida — including the areas of Florida, Florida Park, Florida Hills, Florida Glen, Florida Lake and Florida North — sits west of the Western Bypass and north of Main Reef Road. • Florida Lake is managed by Joburg City Parks, and is a great spot for birdwatching and a spot of freshwater fishing (anglers should go through the Roodepoort Angling Club to secure a licence, and note that there is a “catch and release” policy on specimens caught in the lake!). •There are two government primary schools and two large government high schools in the area — one of which, Hoërskool Florida, is regarded as one of the top government schools in the province — as well as St Catherine’s Convent (for girls), and Christian private school Victory House.