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Meurig. I agree as I haven't seen one like this before. The question is what was it and what was it used for. It may have been built later as a military lookout post?
It is however interesting that there was a blockhouse built at the beginning of 'death bend' on Louis Botha v, formerly Morgan Road. in 1900 Roberts and Kitchener built lines of defence using blockhouses to protect their control over Johannesburg. In 1895 johannesburg was a thriving town (see picture of Market Sq) Bank building, mining houses, trading stores etc.

The British governed the Transvaal by Military rule between 1902 and 1910 until it become the Union. It would be interesting to know what their strategies where at the time.

Michael



The Orange Grove Blockhouse 1900 /1901


JHB Market Sq in 1895

Hello Michael

The blockhouse in Orange Grove is the more usual Rice pattern, and one can clearly see it's defensive situation. Very nice postcard.

If you haven't, then read "The Rand at War 1899-1902: The Witwatersrand and the Anglo-Boer War" by Diana Cammack.

Regards
Meurig

Very interesting