At a very young age (13) Johannes Petrus Meyer bought approximately 11 hectare of his fathers farm, Elandsfontein (currently Alberton) from his stepfather.

The home that Johannes built was a mansion and is still standing today although it was built in 1890. The mansion was never destroyed and was left untouched during the war.

Jans brother took over the farm after Jans death. General Alberts purchased a part of the farm Elandsfontein from Jans brother and his plan was to split it up and sell it.  General Alberts wanted to give the town a name, and since the Meyer family originally came from Prins Albert in the Cape colony, General Alberts decided on the name Alberton. 

 
Albertons roads were tarred in 1926. Mail had to be fetched from Germiston by horse and as there was no post office during this time in Alberton, the mail was delivered to a general store. The first official post office was opened in 1926. Building work started in 1938 on the new town hall. Street names in the Alberton North suburb were named after the Voortrekker heroes.

Alrode was established in 1943. A part of the farm, Roodekop had to be purchased by the Town Council to make this possible and the municipal bus services, first maternity ward and library were established in the 50s.

Black people living on a piece of the farm, Elandsfontein had to be moved to another area. This area was later known as Thokoza