The Parkhurst Residents and Business Owner’s Association, along with qualified tour guide Manny de Freitas, led three heritage walking tours across Parkhurst on September 24.

The three tours, averaging 20 community members each, proved to be a success as attendees learned about the history and heritage of Parkhurst. Initially, only two tours were advertised, but due to high demand, an additional tour was added.

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Parkhurst was proclaimed a Johannesburg township in 1904. It was initially called New Parktown until a naming competition determined the suburb be called Parkhurst.

De Freitas explained that although Fourth Avenue is known today for its pavement cafe culture, the first coffee shop only opened in the 1990s. “Before that, the street was informally dubbed Antique Alley, as it was previously famous for its many antique stores,” said De Freitas.

“The story of Parkhurst begins with Isidore William Schlesinger, or IW as he was known, an influential New York businessman in Johannesburg in the early half of the 20th century. IW designed Parkhurst into a grid system, just like Manhattan.”

Walkers learned about the origins of Verity Park (often referred to as the heart of Parkhurst) and its importance as a ‘green lung’ within a growing city.

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Participating shops on Fourth Avenue, including Stemkind, Stone, Desigual, Wedgewood and the Beautiful Life Store, shared their heritage and origin stories, offering unique perspectives into the many layers that make Parkhurst Village special.

De Freitas said that the tours were well received by participants, with many expressing how much they learnt about the area. He encouraged community members to visit Verity Park on Sixth Avenue on October 3 to support the Parkhurst Village Fair.

“This would be a great follow-up from our Heritage Day celebration,” explained De Freitas.

This was one of Parkhurst’s first walking tours of this nature, and anyone interested in finding out about the next one can email support@parkhurst.org.za.

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