East Bank Location
1890 - 1930

The East Bank Location was created in 1890 on a site to the north-west of North End, East London. It was the fifth township to have been created on the eastern bank of the Buffalo River. The first, the Fingo Location, was created by the Harbour Authorities in 1874 on the site where Burmeister's Hardware Store now stands. It was moved in 1877 so as to make room for eastward expansion of the town. The Seaside Location which replaced it was near the Eastern Beach, probably just below the Buffalo Park cricket grounds. This location in turn was moved a year later, and two townships were established in its place: Newsam's Town for the Xhosa people and the Wesleyan Location for the Fingoes. Both were near North End.

Their close proximity to this latter suburb, however, led to the creation of the East Bank Location in 1890. Due to poor management and economic exploitation by the Town Council, however, the condition of this township rapidly deteriorated until by 1920 it was nothing more than a shanty town. After the promulgation of the Natives (Urban Areas) Act in 1923, and with government sponsorship of municipal locations, the municipality

See also: More about this subject Townships on the East Bank East Bank Location North End

decided to destroy the East Bank Location and build a completely new structure further to the west. The result was Duncan Village which was established in about 1930.

Dr Keith Tankard