It was built around 1849 (some sources say early 1850s) as a weekend hunting lodge for the Milner brothers. It stands on the highest natural point of the Berea Ridge, overlooking what is now Jameson Park and the Indian Ocean. It earned its name after surviving attacks from elephant herds in the area (with visible marks on some wooden posts). It is a national monument and has been preserved as a historic site/B&B.
Other Notable Early Buildings
- Bergtheil House (Bergtheil Museum) in Westville: Dates to around 1840–1847. Westville is a suburb within the greater eThekwini (Durban) metropolitan area, so it is sometimes considered in broader discussions of Durban’s heritage. It is the oldest building in Westville and associated with early German settlers.
- Old Court House (now Durban Local History Museum) in the CBD: Completed in 1866. This is often cited as one of the oldest surviving government or public buildings in central Durban (originally a court and post office).
Durban’s European settlement began in the 1820s (with the 1824 Farewell trading post and later developments), but very few structures from the absolute earliest years survive due to the area’s challenging environment, conflicts, and development. The Elephant House is consistently highlighted in local sources as the oldest intact house still standing in the core Durban area.
