Historical information

Constitution Hill, Johannesburg was formally the site of a fort which was later used as a prison.
The Old Fort Prison complex was built to house white male prisoners in 1892. The Old Fort was built around this prison by Paul Kruger from 1896 to 1899 to protect the South African Republic from the threat of British invasion. During the Anglo-Boer War, however, the British seized Johannesburg and converted the Old Fort Prison buildings for the incarceration of Boers, some of whom were executed there. Even prominent Boer leaders of the Anglo-Boer War were imprisoned here by the British soon after the British had succeeded in seizing and controlling Johannesburg.
In later times many famous people were imprisoned here, e.g. Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. It became known as "The Robben Island of Johannesburg". It closed in 1983.

Physical description

Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.