Britannica Sources used in this answer

When was Johannesburg founded after the discovery of gold?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Johannesburg was founded in 1886, the same year that the Witwatersrand Main Reef was discovered by Australian prospector George Harrison. Following the discovery of gold, a massive influx of diggers arrived in the region, prompting the government of the Transvaal to designate a site for the new city.123