Gatooma
Prosperous Midlands Town
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Gatooma is the centre of a rich mining and agricultural district. It obtained municipal status in 1917. It lies at an altitude of 1 162m and its population at the 1969 census totalled 20 940 of which 1 879 were Europeans and 18 740 were African. Fabric weaving on a large commercial scale, based on the locally grown cotton, is an important industry.
Speck's Hotel in 1919
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Mail train at Gatooma Station, 1920
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Above: A view of the post office and war memorial in 1926.
. A similar view of Edward Street, as on the right, but taken 25 years earlier. Note how the newly planted trees have grown since! (See also photo below) |
In 1967 the town celebrated its golden jubilee as a municipality. The picture, taken from the tower of the Town House, shows a flypast of R.R.A.F. aircraft over a Guard of Honour provided by the Rhodesia Light Infantry. (Click on the picture for a larger image) |
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The Town House facing Edward Street.
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Gatooma promotional advert 1919.
(Scheelite is an ore of tungsten)
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