Sites

Archive Import
History: This is reputedly the first house built on the Berea. Possible it is the oldest remaining house in Durban and dates from about 1849.
In the days when the Elephant House was first constructed, elephants still trampled on their way from Springfields Flats and Sea Cow Lake to the Bayside swamps. The house was repeatedly, attacked by rogue elephants while under construction. The last of these elephants was shot at Pinetown by John Field, once an occupant of the house.
For almost 80 years the house was the home of the Misses Murchie, whose father, A. Murchie, a cord dealer, came to Natal in a 1860. Elephant House is the most historic of the remaining colonial period houses in Durban. It is also linked with the history of that city and is a fine place of colonial architecture and contributes to the historic Ridge Road environment, which is one of the most in architectural environments in Durban.
Visual Description: It is a low rectangular cottage of great charm set in pleasant grounds in a cul - de - sac on Ridge Road. A typical Natal verandah with original woodwork runs the entire length of the front facade. There are no windows in the front facade, only rather delightful french doors with narrow glazing bars. These give the facade a definite continental character. The double front door itself is also of very fine construction, although it is obviously an Edwardian addition.
The original corrugated iron roof has been replaced with asbestos, however, the asbestos has weathered well and does not detract from the character of the house in. any way. The front gate is of Victorian wrought iron and is of excellent ornate workmanship and therefore deserves preservation.
Colours:
Site Features: verandah and Victorian wrought iron gate
Condition:
Construction Date: 1849c
Materials: brick : asbestos
Catalogue: Kearney, 1984, No: 14.112, Significance Category: