Jack Scott House

Jack Scott House

In 1888 whilst working on the Strathvaal farm just outside Kleksdorp, Charles Scott discovered an outcropping gold reef which he then developed, the reef became known as Strathmore reef. Scott believed that the area to the east of Klerksdorp also contained a subterranean reef and it was his son, Jack Scott, who proved his theory true. It took Jack years of prospecting, from 1933 to 1939 when the Second World War broke out Jack searched the Klerksdorp area to no avail, but in 1945 he obtained options over the farm Stilfontein and portions of adjoining farms where his searching would come to an end. In 1947 the first borehole was sunk and at a depth of 2637 feet they intersected the Reef. In May 1949 two shafts (Charles and Margaret) were sunk and it was this success at Stilfontein that inspired the opening up of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines.

The Margaret shaft at the Stilfontein mine was the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa and was designed locally and completely constructed form local materials. Tower mounted on this headgear was the first ever multi rope Koepoe hoist in South Africa.

Jack Scott became known as the father of modern day mining in South Africa. His home still stands in Klerksdorp, a tin house which was fully imported from Britain and can still be viewed today. Unfortunately the property in Buckle Avenue was damaged in 2009 by flooding and the Municipality has cordoned it off until it can be restored but it is still visible from the road.