The Armoury
Nestled behind Port Elizabeth’s City Hall, and sitting next to the city’s old Post Office is the long abandoned Baakens Police Station. Holding secrets, fear, pain and anger, photographer Karl Schoemaker has captured the space to share its history and stories with the world.
Built in 1899, the Baakens Police Station was declared a national monument in 1984 then closed and sealed off. Forgotten. Until photographer Karl Schoemaker heard about the building and its significance in South Africa’s history. Numerous political activists were held in the cells, namely:
Samuel Makama Martin Masabalala, leader of the Industrial and Commercial Worker’s Union in 1920
John (BJ) Vorster, General in the Ossewa-Brandwag and future State President in the 1940s
Barney Pityana, leader of the Black Conscious Movement in 1977
Moki Jacob Bonisile Cekisani, President of the Black People’s Convention and Pan African Congress party member also in 1977
It wasn’t just the political held in the cells of Baakens Police Station. There were murderers, thieves, ladies of the night, drunks and those with a violent disposition. All separated by gender and race.
I took this image of the Armoury, where the guards' weapons were stored. The patina on the walls created an artwork of beauty...ironic
Nestled behind Port Elizabeth’s City Hall, and sitting next to the city’s old Post Office is the long abandoned Baakens Police Station. Holding secrets, fear, pain and anger, photographer Karl Schoemaker has captured the space to share its history and stories with the world.
Built in 1899, the Baakens Police Station was declared a national monument in 1984 then closed and sealed off. Forgotten. Until photographer Karl Schoemaker heard about the building and its significance in South Africa’s history. Numerous political activists were held in the cells, namely:
Samuel Makama Martin Masabalala, leader of the Industrial and Commercial Worker’s Union in 1920
John (BJ) Vorster, General in the Ossewa-Brandwag and future State President in the 1940s
Barney Pityana, leader of the Black Conscious Movement in 1977
Moki Jacob Bonisile Cekisani, President of the Black People’s Convention and Pan African Congress party member also in 1977
It wasn’t just the political held in the cells of Baakens Police Station. There were murderers, thieves, ladies of the night, drunks and those with a violent disposition. All separated by gender and race.
I took this image of the Armoury, where the guards' weapons were stored. The patina on the walls created an artwork of beauty...ironic
Nestled behind Port Elizabeth’s City Hall, and sitting next to the city’s old Post Office is the long abandoned Baakens Police Station. Holding secrets, fear, pain and anger, photographer Karl Schoemaker has captured the space to share its history and stories with the world.
Built in 1899, the Baakens Police Station was declared a national monument in 1984 then closed and sealed off. Forgotten. Until photographer Karl Schoemaker heard about the building and its significance in South Africa’s history. Numerous political activists were held in the cells, namely:
Samuel Makama Martin Masabalala, leader of the Industrial and Commercial Worker’s Union in 1920
John (BJ) Vorster, General in the Ossewa-Brandwag and future State President in the 1940s
Barney Pityana, leader of the Black Conscious Movement in 1977
Moki Jacob Bonisile Cekisani, President of the Black People’s Convention and Pan African Congress party member also in 1977
It wasn’t just the political held in the cells of Baakens Police Station. There were murderers, thieves, ladies of the night, drunks and those with a violent disposition. All separated by gender and race.
I took this image of the Armoury, where the guards' weapons were stored. The patina on the walls created an artwork of beauty...ironic