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Origin of the the town's name

The name of the town ages back a long way - to the beginning of time - biblical times that is. the first garden of all was named Eden - and the "vale" is the archaic but romantically poetic name for a valley - the farmers have always been fond of biblical and traditional associations. But a garden is also where life grows. Over the decades, Edenvale has tried to nurture this feeling, to distill its essence and, in the course of time, add the other vital ingredients that add up to the dynamic new dimension of Edenvale - on the threshold of the 21st Century.

Source : Municipal & Public Works Services - July 1995
Information provided by the Ricardo Mulder Community Library - Reference Section

When it all started

The history of Edenvale dates back to 1902. In 1883 Tobias Johannes Mynhardt bought a quarter portion of the farm Rietfontein No. 9. In 1898 Mynhardt sold 126 morgen to the firm Philip Amm and Sons.

In 1903 Philip Amm and Sons sold to John de Lacey. The first erven were sold in 1902 in Edendale and Edenvale and in 1903 in Eastleigh. These first erven were offered for sale to the public at £20 per stand on terms of £2 deposit and £1 per month.

This cheap ground, free of taxation induced people to settle here. At that time, Rietfontein Mine employed Cornish miners known as "Cousin Jacks." These miners settled mostly in Edenvale and Eastleigh in brick-lined wood and iron houses. Some of these houses can still be seen today.

The Rand Revolt in 1922, which grew out of the strike on the gold and coal mines, retarded progress of Edenvale because it was largely a miner's community. Many people were unemployed for months. to assist the people, a Voluntary Committee organised by the late Mrs Sneech opened up soup kitchens.

In 1924, a Vigilance Association was established. This association, of which Mr Harry Sneech was a member, raised money to build the concrete bridge which links Edenvale with Eastleigh. From 1929 - 1930 the whole world suffered a complete financial and economic collapse. This depression also affected Edenvale's progress. Little development took place in the town during this period.

In 1935 the Vigilance Committee became a Health Committee.
In 1935 the Health Committee became the Village Council, which controlled the affairs of the town until the 28th of October 1942, when Edenvale was proclaimed a municipality.

Edenvale experienced a building boom from the 1940's onwards when water and electricity became available. Building societies interested themselves in Edenvale and granted loans for housing. this greatly assisted in the rapid development of the Edenvale municipal area.

Most of the streets in Edenvale were numbered but 12th Street Extension was named after Edenvale's pioneer, Harry Sneech. 5th Street was changed to Hendrik Potgieter Street on the occasion of the Voortrekker Centenary in 1938.

Information provided by the Ricardo Mulder Community Library - Reference Section