Gregarious weddings and other social events were hosted at this prominent family's home, which was spacious and had amenities like a tennis court and billiards room. The two large lounges and wide, red polished veranda were used to host receptions and many parties. But also to receive the town's prominent leaders.
The town's future was also plotted here after "JR" Urban became mayor of George in 1925 and after his re-election in 1934 when he served a five year term during the difficult Second World War. Apart from his political and civil ambitions, JR had an entrepreneu-rial spirit. He was the co-founder of the hops industry in George and the family owned large tracts of land. From humble beginnings - starting a shoe repair shop in Blanco, where he was born in 28 December 1886, he steadily
built a shoe factory, expanding the family empire to include a tannery, pine plantations and sawmills.
Hops
Together with General Mitchell Baker, JR started the hops industry with plantations in George and Wolverivier in the 1940s. The shoe factory was built adjacent to the house and provided shoes to the town for decades until the 1980s when the factory closed down. (During World War One, the factory produced one million army boots.)
His grandson, John Rogers, who also served on the George Town Council in the 1980s, can relate many interesting anecdotes of the old house as it holds many fond memories. "As a young bachelor I lived in the house from 1955 to 1963 with my grandparents JR and Myrtle Urban. I left after getting married to Lynnette in a ceremony that took place in Worcester.
Oudtshoorn connection
"My grandfather, Archibald Rogers, who lived in Oudtshoorn, was a stonemason who helped build the iconic landmarks (the architects were Edmeades) in Oudtshoorn. This included Pinehurst and the stately building that now houses the CP Nel Museum in Ba-ron van Rheede Street.
"It was only by a quirk of fate that my great-great grandparents on my father's side came to settle in Oudtshoorn. They had packed up in Scotland and resolved to settle in Australia when the steamship they were travelling on was caught up in a storm off the Mossel Bay coast. It was forced to dock and the passengers to seek shelter ashore. The family liked what they saw and stayed, becoming productive settlers in Oudtshoorn.
"My father, Sydney Rogers married Irene Mary Urban who was born at 35 York Street, where the young, starry-eyed bride hosted an intimate reception on the wide old 'stoep'. It was a huge occasion attended by the old fami-
lies of George like the Smiths' and Giles'.
"I remember clearly when Felix Matzner, who owned the first cinema in George, came to visit and he slipped on the polished 'stoep' much to the mirth of grandpa JR, Jack Smith, who owned the shoe factory in town, and former Mayor JJ 'Koos' Stander. They had great difficulty in helping the old man back on his feet."
Sadly the "JR era" came to an end in November 1958 after he suffered a heart attack. A few days later, thinking he was on the mend, he went fishing and collapsed on the rock at Vaalkom near Herolds Bay. At his funeral and in the panegyric he was honoured as "a true son of George who had served the town well". He had fathered seven children and left a rich legacy. The Urban family was instrumental in the establishment of St Mary's Mission Church and Stella Maris at Herolds Bay. The family photo album reveals close ties with the town's clergymen. The history of the "old landmark" (where three ge-nerations of Urbans had resided over several decades) came to the fore with the auctioning off of House of York (as the homestead built in the 1900s is currently known). Until recently the building served as offices for a second-hand car lot.
John Rogers who lives in Bergsig with his second wife Ria, enjoys travelling and camping throughout South Africa. They are often sporty enough to camp or sleep in their bakkie when the occasions arises. If the ghost of JR was to reside at the old home, he would be pleased to see that the place is still well kept.
The grand old manor house at 35 York Street witnessed momentous family occasions like wedding receptions. House of York was recently auctioned off and will be used as commercial premises.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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