Just Off the Highway | Episode 32 | Springs World Class Art Deco Architecture
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2024
- 1930’s Springs had the largest gold deposits in the world. Prosperity was reflected in architecture and resulted in the 2nd largest collection of small-scale Art Deco buildings in the world. Al Prodgers discovers the struggle to preserve and renovate the irreplaceable heritage while providing accommodation for a new generation.
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Thank you for reviving our hidden jems & your teachings on our forgotten history👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you!
I was born in 1949 at St Marys lived double story house next to the Casseldale Hotel lovely memories lovely to see the art deco in the lovely buildings in Springs my home town ❤
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Thanks
Hi Rob. Thanks very much for your generous support!
My mom grew up in Springs. I never realised there was so much Art Deco architecture until a friend told me about it. Thanks for another amazing journey and lesson. It would be amazing to also see where the old Raleigh bicycle factory was in Springs.
Thanks! I'll ask Tony Da Cruz about the bicycle factory. Every kid must've had a Raleigh at some point in their childhood.
Ah, my home town. 😍 So much nostalgia watching this video.
Thank you. So glad you enjoyed the episode. Springs still has energetic people working hard to preserve its heritage and build.
So interesting!
Thank you. Glad you liked the episode.
My maternal grandfather’s brother and his wife emigrated to Springs from Scotland in 1939, just before the outbreak of WWII. He was in the paper making trade and got a job with SAPPI. They used to send us the South African magazine Panorama which as a small boy in the 60’s I looked forward to its delivery by the postman. In my child’s mind, I had a vision of Springs (such a beautiful name) as a quaint country village by a babbling brook. When eventually I visited my old aunt in the 80’s, that vision was disappointed but she explained how full of life Springs was when they arrived. A bustling, vibrant, confident town, full of energy, optimism and civic excellence.
Yep, less babbling brook and more roar of heavy industry. Thanks for sharing your story. Springs is still home to some energetic people trying hard to preserve its heritage.
My Dad immigrated here from Scotland and also worked for SAPPI. However he comuted everyday to springs.😂
I have shared this wildly😁! Fantastic. Thank you!🎉💃🚀
Thank you so much!
Thank you once again Al for taking us back in time to a small East Rand town called Springs. Im from Boksburg, not to far from Springs. Thank you very much for all your postings.... Stay blessed and stay safe......
Thank you! I do feel very blessed by so many kind comments.
Thanks Al,great episode.Beautiful Buildings.May your channel grow and grow.
Thanks for your encouraging comment!
I will never look at the building the same way. You see them, but you don't always pay attention to the detail and design. What a fun episode! Thanks Al!
Thanks Ulandi!
Thank you so much for the video we do appreciate it!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Wow what a lovely surprise- I went to Jan van Riebeeck School in the 80s and never even knew this!
Thanks for your comment! I hope the episode adds to your enjoyment of Springs.
Thank you for sharing this excellent record of the beautiful architecture of Springs and its vibrant history.
Thanks for your kind comment!
Springs the neighbour town I live in Brakpan I'm enjoying the video thanks for documenting Springs
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it. I need to visit Brakpan again soon.
Al! What a lovely video, thank you fpr sharing❤
Absolute pleasure. Thanks for your comment. I hope you will also browse the other episodes.
Who can forget the SHONEEZ RIEBEECK HOTEL !!!
Was born, raised, married and raised my kids in Springs... Love my town and the history behind it
I’m an Architectural Technology Student based in Springs, I always see these beautiful buildings but had no idea that they carried so much history. Thank you for exposing this jewel side of our town.
Wow! So glad you found this episode. I hope you'll use some of the influence of your chosen career to help preserve them.
I was born there and spent my youth there. It was a beautiful town!
The good city! Build like that in Malawi
Never been to Malawi. Would love to visit.
@@JustOfftheHighway Ok no problem we will happy if you vistos to Malawi
I love the information. I grew up in Springs . The City Hall outside as well as inside are also examples if Art Deco. The stage is very ornamental with curls and figures. Many other city halls on the Eastrand share this bulbous structures around the stage. The city hall in Germiston is even a bit kitsch, but nice anyway
Thanks for sharing! There are so many hidden gems.
1.27pm Wednesday. Wonderful video. Thanks gents for your efforts, I really enjoyed watching. My grandfather, Arthur McCarthy, built a lot of homes in Springs in the 1930s, always built big kitchens. Another relative, Reuben McCarthy of R McCarthy Joburg, built a double-storey art deco place in Casseldale, a very luxurious home at the time. It’s close to what was the back of the old zoo.
Thanks for adding flavour and detail! I believe the old Casseldale Hotel is/was also Art Deco, but I didn't have the time to visit.
Hiya Al. Love the channel you created👍👍👍. Well done old mate, keep up the good work. Lots of greetings and best wishes from New Zealand. LLAP🖖
Hi, John, lovely to hear from you! Thanks for your kind words. I hope and trust all is well in NZ.
@@JustOfftheHighway I'm sure you should be on facebook, so I'll look you up and drop you some contact info. My family and I are happy where we are. Take care of yourself and the family.
I was born in Springs, at the "Kimberley House Maternity Home", in the 1940's.
My late father worked on the mines, and we lived on mine property.
I've heard that the old "clinic" where kids went for their vaccinations was also an Art Deco building, but I didn't have time to look for it.
Excellent video !
Thank you! Cheers!
Standing ovation for this video (new subscriber).
Thank you for touching my heart, my brain , my soul with this. South African living in New Zealand, my heart is singing with fullness. Thank you.
Hi Lee, thank you for your beautiful words. Humbled and thankful that we were able to connect with you in this way.
Having grown up in Yeoville, JHB, and remembering the Art Deco buildings particularly along Louis Botha I could really and appreciate this video. This is awesome.
Thank you. Yes, I lived in Yeoville and there were many interesting buildings with powerful stories.
Wow I real enjoyed this. The architect did their best. I love history. I love to comment on what is good. I have put the Springs in my basket. One day if showers or blessings come over me, I will be there. Thank you very much. I am on on every episode now. Good job.
Thank you, Zivai! I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Yes, our towns are full of surprising sights.
What beautiful buildings. Thanks for sharing.
Pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. Please browse around my channel for more topics that might interest you.
My, suddenly I miss being there. I stayed there for a while.
Seems to be a place that gets deep into the hearts of its people.
This makes me incredibly sad. As a former joburg resident, I’ve know about the architectural treasures for many years.
Driving through the city on my last visit, during easter 2023, was truly heartbreaking. The city of gold is now a world-class sh!thole. Even my guests from nairobi were horrified by the decay and state of affairs.
We’d express our true sentiments but we’d be banned as soon as the comment was posted.
It’s over.
12:27 celebrities pickled in chemicals 😂😂😂
Thanks!
@@JustOfftheHighway I agree we needa preserve our architectural heritage man. It's not like we have it in spades :D
Check out Worcester old Bank building. So so beautiful in the Western Cape
Thanks, I'll look it up.
I kill time on street view. Just like springs Johannesburg has some incredible buildings. Just look up and ignore the street level. If you had a office there you knew you had made it!
Agreed. I was in the city a week ago, shooting my next episode. Beautiful architecture.
Very interesting. Where is no 1? Miami?
Hi, Yes, Miami has the most. The story goes that it had a major rebuild in Art Deco style after a storm destroyed many buildings in 1929, but I can't vouch for that.
Born there in 1960. Was an awesome place to grow up in. A dump now.
Awesome as always. I feel a trip to Springs is in my future. I have driven past many, many times, but time for me to follow your example and head 'just off the highway'. :)
Thanks, David!
Remember the song ZX Dan by the Radio Rats? They were from Springs. I'm not sure how many Art Deco buildings they bought with the royalties 😜
Good song. Didn't know they were from Springs If I had more budget I could have used it in the soundtrack
It would have made a great soundtrack. Dave on vocals still in Springs, Jonathan in Maritzburg. Radio Rats still making great music and recently did their own Just off the Highway story telling album called Moordenaars Karoo.
Homeboys!!!Been to a few of their concerts in the last few years at the radium. 👍
Sad that nowdays SA is not concerned and doesn't have the will or insight anymore of protecting their heritage buildings which are world class. Their inner city areas are being destroyed at an alarming rate. The major cities are a shadow of their former appearance due to mismanaged and bankrupt municipal authorities & a general breakdown of law and order - sad to witness.
Yep.But small groups of dedicated people are making an outsized difference.
Johannesburg has one of the biggest collections of Art Deco. But most neglected.
Sadly, I agree. I've recently seen how beautifully some Cape Town Art Deco has been maintained. It adds so much to the charm of any town.
Would be interesting to know if Durban has the most Art Deco buildings in SA, for it is said that it does. Miami purportedly has the most in the USA.
Yes, various places lay claim to having the most in SA. The story goes that Miami suffered damage from a storm and many buildings were rebuilt at the same time in the same style.
In the North Island of New Zealand
Fantastic analysis and video! WOW!I'm passionate about this kind of stuff and would love to collaborate with you!Please let me know how I can get in touch with you!
Hi Andrea, Thanks for your kind and enthusiastic comment! I can't share details here, but my contact numbers are easy to find.
Brilliant video,but the background music is a distraction.
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
When was this video made? It sure does not look like this now!
Hi Nina, I shot the video on 26 march 2023. There are some obviously animated sections that show the buildings as they originally were, but the rest is current.
@Al Prodgers Those streets sure look cleaner than the streets of Cape Town, which is a miracle 🤔 the reason why I asked. I lived there and still have friends there. Thank you for the feedback.
@@ninaosborne2004 👍We did choose a Sunday, because it's quieter and easier to shoot. I think that's why it was cleaner too.
I drove through there a few weeks ago to look at the Art Deco buildings but was disappointed at the state of them and the town.
Yes, they are run down. I found that if you visit on a Sunday, it's less busy and you can get a better look at the buildings.
sorry Shane not anymore im in Nigel same story
Barring the buildings, springs is a dump, its been run into the ground, i think our electrical system is as old as those buildings :(
Love it! Art Deco represents INDIVIDUALISM .... teach your children to be INDIVIDUALS ❤ pity #pedowood was brought into this docci ....
Glad you liked part of the episode. I agree that these buildings and other Art Deco structures each have a wonderful unique character.
@@JustOfftheHighway more impressive than Vredehoek Cape Town ....
Some beauts in Muizenberg near Surfers' Corner.
There to. Used to be the movie house (soppies né). The Criterion Restaurant in Simon's Town totally preserved. Also was the movie house. Floor still slants .... 😉💙
Napier, a coastal town on the east side of the north island of New Zealand, is called the Art Deco capital of the world. Every year in February they have a big festival all the shop play music of that era. The kids go on train trip, pass well kept Stations. People dress in 1940 clothes. Shop play music. Google Napier New Zealand for more info.
Thanks for the info!
Springs was s beautiful town many years ago not anymore its become a drug den dirty over full of Nigirans took over Springs its no more those beautiful buildings
There are real problems, but we shot every bit of footage in the last few weeks. We used animation to show the history. Other images of Springs are current.