Category: Southern Rhodesia

Meikle’s Hotel was officially opened on 5th November, 1915 in Salisbury. By 1916, an annex was added bringing the capacity to 160 rooms. Around 1930, it became part of Meikle’s Associated Hotels. In 1953 refurbishments were made to the front entrance, hotel foyer and dining room. References www.meikles.com

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The Southern Rhodesia Publicity Bureau was located in Scott’s Building, Main Street, Bulawayo. It was established in 1928 by the Government in conjunction with Rhodesia Railways. The first publicity conference was held January 1930 in Bulawayo under the chairmanship of the colonial secretary. The bureau promoted a number of district…

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London Bakery was located in Salisbury. The grocery and confectionary business was founded by Demetrios Psillos, who arrived in Southern Rhodesia from Lemnos, Greece, in 1927. Psillos was considered a Master Baker who was educated in Athens. Psillos married Matyanthe Kellaris in 1934. References The Central and East African Who’s Who…

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T Forbes & Son was a watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith business located on Abercorn Street, Bulawayo. Thomas Forbes arrived in Cape Town from Scotland in 1905 and proceeded to Bulawayo where he joined the well-known firm of Mr. William Caie, one of the leading watchmakers and jewellers in the town.…

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Cooper & Nephews S.Af (Pty) Ltd had headquarters in Bulawayo. The original sheep-dip company, William Cooper & Nephews Ltd, was founded by William Cooper in 1843 in Berkhamsted, England.  The company was the first provider of commercial dip chemicals in South Africa. In 1927, J W Shoebotham, Technical Officer for…

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  Rhodesia Vulcanising Works was originally located on Moffat Street, Salisbury. Opened in 1926 by W McCormack, the business was the first business of its kind to open in Salisbury which consisted of a small plant for repairing tyres. References Rhodesia and Eastern Africa: Historical and Descriptive Commercial and Industrial…

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The Rhodesian Vanadium Corporation was located in Salisbury. In 1925, the Vanadium Corporation of America together with other interests, investigated the chrome ore reserves in Southern Rhodesia and through engineers and commercial representatives, obtained a substantial amount of ore. The corporation acquired an option on 5,000 claims in the Darwendale–Banket…

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Bothwell & Co was established in 1926 by its proprietor, W Bothwell. who had been engaged in the men’s outfitting business for over thirty years. Located on Manica Road, Salisbury. the business was a specialist in boy’s and men’s outfitting services. It appears the business may have acted as agency…

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Matabeleland Farmers’ Co-Operative Ltd was located on Abercorn Street and Fife Street, Bulawayo. It was registered under the Co-Operatives Company Act No.34 of 1925 but appears to have existed as early as 1922. References Official Year Book of Southern Rhodesia (1932)

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From 1926, T McMurray and Thomas Meikle took over proprietorship of the Grand Hotel, Bulawayo, with McMurray as the manager. At the time, the hotel offered 100 rooms with hot and cold water. Facilities included a large dining room and lounges. Cabaret was offered on Saturdays. The hotel also offered 18…

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