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Old roller mill recognised as a heritage site

Local landmark acknowledged by heritage association.

Heidelberg Heritage Association’s Tony Burisch awarded the latest blue plaque to Die Ou Meule in Schoeman Street on April 13, sponsored by Emis Security and Hygiene.

The building was built in the 1930s for the Heidelberg Electric Roller Mills.

Paul Bartunsky, Deanne Bartunsky and Estelle Bartunsky in front of the blue plaque that was unveiled.

David Harry Bartunsky, a Jewish businessman, was the initial owner of the mills and resided on the corner of Schoeman and Kruger streets.

Original chimney that was used in the 1930s at the Ou Meule.

Bartunsky would store his grain in the large storehouse/garage on his property. He was a miller by trade.

The roller mills would crush grain for storage and packaging. It could even be used to crush grain to produce flour.

Painting of the Ou Meule.

Bartunsky’s parents were Moses Nathan and Henna Grushko Bartunsky. He was born on April 15, 1907, in Seduva, Lithuania.

He arrived in South Africa in 1925 and died on January 17, 1974 in Heidelberg. Bartunsky became a South African citizen on November 19, 1957.

Original safe still in the wall at the house where Bartunsky resided.

He married Anne Antesorsky on April 1, 1940, in Volksrust. They had four children. Phillip, Qwen, Irwin and Herbert.

Anne was born in 1903 in Bellville and died on February 19, 1984, in Boksburg.

David Harry Bartunsky.

The Bartunskys are buried in the Wespark Jewish Cemetery in Johannesburg.

The roller mills would crush grain for storage and packaging.
A old photo of the house where Bartunsky resided in Schoeman Street.
The old mill.
Front view of the Ou Meule building now housing Emis Security.

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