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Historical significance continued:
Early Schooling
The first one-room school in the area was opened in Rivonia near Woodmead and call Rietfontein No. 15. It was built near the river and on stilts for that reason. In 1914 land was purchased at a cost of 12 pounds sterling at the site of the present Rivonia Primary School in main Street. A new school was built, the headmaster and 'font et origo' of the development being one Mr. Stopforth, or 'Stoppie', as he was affectionately known. He also established the first Tennis Club in Rivonia on courts he built in the school grounds. An early pupil at the school was one Peter Bekker, later Dr Peter Bekker, and an authority on Southern African indigenous peoples and author of the Mzilikazi book 'Path of Blood', amongst others.
Early Shops
A Mr. Schull on the corner of 10th Avenue and Bevan Road owned the first Rivonia shop. The building still exists, covered in creepers. It was also the local Post office and later owner, Mr Miller, gave lifts to residents into Rosebank (20 miles hence) and Johannesburg when he went to fetch stores. The Millers moved the shop and the family owned the Rivonia Supply Store until very recent times. It was eventually sold to new owners and renamed Rivonia Produce and General dealers - which it remains to this day in Rivonia Boulevard. Customers exhibited extraordinary loyalty and traveled from as far a field as Roodepoort and the East Rand to patronise it. No mean feat in days gone by.
Early Tea Gardens and Hotels
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Nell established a Tea garden at their home 'Sleepy Hollow'. It became a regular mid-way stop for travelers between Pretoria and Johannesburg. Later it became a hotel and 'The Sleepy Hollow' has been a well-known venue ever since. It has now been renamed the 'Rivonia Inn' in Rietfontein Road.
Early Public Transport
As mentioned above Mr. Miller the proprietor of the Rivonia shop gave lifts to residents wishing to visit Johannesburg. A Mrs. Green, who lived on the corner of 9th Street and De La Rey Street, decided to improve the situation and drew up a petition to the Authorities which resulted in a 3-times-a-week bus service for Rivonia residents. The trip was nethertheless a long and uncomfortable one in an open conveyance with no apparent sprints! Seats were planks running along the side. Cargo, apart from the usual passengers, could comprise anything from vegetables, fruit, varied farm produce, chickens, flowers, mail, to small children and even calves. It was later replaced with a converted tram, protected to a degree from the elements but no more comfortable. The vehicle was driven by 'a handsome Mr. Delport' who stopped and charged as he saw fit, which was always to suit his passengers. He would even wait for late arrivals! What has happened to personal service! the bus and roads improved by the 1930's due largely to the preonderance of young Rivonia residents taking up employment in the 'City'. The first example, perhaps, of what gave rise to the perception of the 'north' being the city dormitory.
Early Communication
The ubiquitous Mr. Miller of shop fame was the proud owner of the first telephone in Rivonia itself.
