As is the case with many towns on the Witwatersrand of the Gauteng Province of South Africa, Boksburg owes its existence to the discovery of gold in 1887. Boksburg, named after a prominent official of the South African Republic Eduard Bok, proved to have a very rich gold reserve and soon developed into a thriving gold mining town linked to other major gold mining towns by means of Main Reef Road, with the historic Angelo Hotel (built in 1887 and still in business) serving as the staging post and hub of activity in the area. Other historical treasures in Boksburg include the Old Post Office (1898), the Law Court (1890) and the ornate St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church which was designed by renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker.
Boksburg remains an important mining and industrial center, with picturesque residential neighborhoods and a well established infrastructure; including schools, medical centers, world-class shopping centers and a very popular permanent flea market. There are parks scattered throughout Boksburg, with the Bokkie Park offering a petting zoo for the little ones, the Le Grange Bird Park providing a haven for the diverse birdlife in the area, and the beautifully landscaped Boksburg Lake being enjoyed as a picnic, leisure and water sport venue.
