Tag Archives: history

History of the Overberg and Southern Cape forests (1795-2011)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

1795-1856 Summary of this period: Apart from purely nominal protection and conservation of a desultory kind, from the 1770’s until about 1856, the forests received practically no helpful attention. The timber taken from them was extracted in an unsystematic manner by any who chose to do so. Fire also did much damage locally (Phillips, 1963). During the first British occupation (1795-1803) Plettenberg Bay was also used as a source of wood. Johan Meeding was retained in his post as Post holder of the Plettenberg Bay VOC outpost. In 1797, B. … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Colonial History of Knysna 1770-1890 (Part 3 – Magistracy)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The History of Knysna – Knysna becomes a Seat of Magistracy: By 1848 the population of, what was to become the village of Knysna, excluding the families of the gentleman farmers, viz. Rex, Duthie and Barrington, and their retainers, consisted of a tiny (white) population of only 10 adults and 5 children! But the character of Knysna was soon to change. In 1847 John Sutherland built a stone school building and by 1855 there were 55 school children attending class. The building of the school was closely followed by the … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Colonial History of Knysna 1770-1890 (Part 2)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The History of Knysna – Belvidere, Portland & the village of Newhaven: The next major player to settle in Knysna was Captain Thomas Henry Duthie, late of the 72 Highlanders, who married Caroline Rex and, in 1834, bought the farm Uitzicht from his father-in-law George Rex, which had been re-named Belvidere by Rex, located on the west side of the Knysna Estuary. Here, in 1848, Duthie built a stone farmhouse and raised a family. He was also the driving force behind the building of the little Norman style sandstone church … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Colonial History of Knysna 1770-1890 (Part 1)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The History of Knysna – Melkhoutkraal Farm & the Village of Melville: Stephanus Ter Blans, the eldest son of Heemraad Ter Blans (Terblanche) of the Reeboksfontein farm near Little Brak River, was the first recorded colonist farmer to settle on the Knysna Estuary, in 1770. The loan farm was registered as de Melkhoute Craal (Melhoutkraal) and was located on the east bank of the Knysna River. The farm stretched from the Indian Ocean to today’s Long Street in town. Ter Blans died in 1794. Ter Blans’ widow, Hester Marx, remained … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Impact of Humans & Environment on Forest Distribution in Southern Cape

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This is a summary/introduction to Ryno Joubert’s article ‘The Impact of Humans & Environment on Forest Distribution in the Southern Cape’. According to studies, forests are found in areas that receive annual rainfall ranging between 525 mm and 1220 mm. If you look at the southern Cape forests, it can be noted that there is no relationship between rainfall and the distribution of forests in the area. This suggests, to some people, that humans changed the area through over-exploitation. It has been suggested that much of the forested area from … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Magical History & Geography of Knysna

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This is the view of the East Head of Knysna, as shot from the West Head, over the watery passage between the estuary and the sea. A reminder of magic history and ever present, wondrous geography. Far below the photographer is a cave where Stone Age people lived 120,000 years ago, occupied by San people 3000 years ago. Beneath the water, lies the 1904 wreck of a German ship called the Paquita. But don’t try swim to it from this side cause when the tide changes, 19-million cubic metres of … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Historical Movie: The Garden Route (1962)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Jump back to the Garden Route 54 years ago! Then there was the Snack & Snort, a beer garden at The Royal Hotel. Oxen were still being used to pull felled trees. Your accommodation place could pack you crab for a picnic. No Thesen Islands development. No tarred road to Coney Glen. It was a world where nature was first, people second. Take a delightful Sunday journey back in time. Watch the whole thing (Herold’s Bay, George etc.) or jump to 14min 18 seconds where the section on Knysna begins. … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

History: Melrose House/The Convent

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The lot on which this double-story building stands was originally part of the farm Melkhoutkraal bought on the death of George Rex by John Sutherland who in turn sold it to Maria Stroebel in 1860. This building was hired by the Colonial Office, from Hendrik Stroebel, and used as Government Offices and as a Courthouse by Knysna’s first magistrate, James Fichat (until the early 1880’s when Magistrate Jackson moved to what is now the Police Station in Main Street). The building then became the Residency for Magistrate Jackson. The Standard … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!