Gobabeb Historic Photos - Conrad Roedern Collection

Historic photos from the Conrad Roedern collection.

These photos were taken by Eberhard von Koenen, who built much of Gobabeb's first infrastructure in the early 1960s. Eberhard von Koenen tells his story in a video filmed by Conrad Roedern, who is Erich Luebbert's grandson. Erich Luebbert was an early benefactor of Gobabeb, and his name is on a plaque affixed to a wall in Gobabeb's administrative headquarters, which is formally known as Erich Luebbert House. Conrad Roedern has kindly donated this collection of historic photos to Gobabeb.

Wolfgang Schenck plus 3 others

Probably taken by the newly constructed Gobabeb landing strip. Charles Koch is third from the left.

Traditional Topnaar well

This is a traditional well dug by the Topnaar in the Kuiseb River. Probably near Homeb.

Kuiseb River in Flood

A flood in the Kuiseb in 1963. This was a particularly high flood, which likely took out the borehole that was dug by von Koenen.

Kuiseb River Driftwood

A flood in the Kuiseb transports enormous quantities of deadwood down the stream to pile up in enormous drifts.

A looming storm

A dark cloud looming over Gobabeb. This may have been the storm that caused substantial damage to Gobabeb's first buildings and bore hole.

Sandstorm at Gobabeb

von Koenen talks about a violent windstorm at Gobabeb. This may be that storm.

Workers tent

The crew building Gobabeb's first infrastructure were housed in tents.

Desert rainbow

Rains at Gobabeb were often lit by sun producing rainbows. This photo may have been taken by von Koenen's wife.

Bore hole sketch

This is an eary sketch of plans for Gobabeb's original borehole.

An early map of the Namib

This early map of the Namib nostalgically shows the wildlife that is increaslingly rare.

Gobabeb from the air

There are many aerial photos of Gobabeb. This one shows the layout of the original station.

Gobabeb from Station dune

This classic framing of Gobabeb from Station Dune shows Gobabeb shortly after it was inaugurated in 1963.

Early Gobabeb

Another view of Gobabeb from the dunes south of the Kuiseb River, showing the small scale of rhe early station.

Early beetle

von Koenen, shown in what may have been Gobabeb's first official vehile.

Early weather station

One of von Koenen's first tasks was to establish a weather station at Gobabeb. Here is von Koenen at the meteorlogical shield that stil stands outide the station.

Early weather station

von Koenen taking readings at the Gobabeb weather station. Colorized by Conrad Roedern.

Early weather station 2

von Koenen taking readings at the Gobabeb weather station. Colorized by Conrad Roedern.

Early weather station 3

von Koenen taking readings at the Gobabeb weather station. Colorized by Conrad Roedern.

GBB Windmeter

This wind meter was constructed on the rock that is presently occupied by the Baseline Surface Raidation Network station.

FIrst hut

von Koenen and his children work to buld the foundation for Gobabeb's first building, a hut for the von Koenen family.

First hut 2

von Koenen and his children work to buld the foundation for Gobabeb's first building, a hut for the von Koenen family.

Dune outpost

A caravan was installed south of the Kuiseb RIver for studies of dune geophysics.

Landscape at VIlla 3

Gobabeb veterans will recognize these rocks located just west of Villa 3. VIlla 3 did not exist then.

Landscape

Another example of the landscape around the early station, probably south of the present day work yard.

Landscape 3

Another landscape shot, probably looking west over the gravel plains from the rock outcroppings at Station dune.