Hermanus Timeline
Hermanus and it's origin, the chronological time line of Hermanus
| DATE | DESCRIPTION | |
| 1600’s | (Quenna (Khoi-Khoi) tribes still live in this area | |
| 1724 | Jan Cloete obtained first grazing rights to Mosselrivier farm | |
| 1731 | Grazing rights granted in vicinity of Kleinriviervallei granted to Frederick Keyser | |
| 1764 |
Grazing rights on Bosch Rivier to Wessels Wessels, incl area at the mouth of the lagoon extending E of Hermanus to beyond Mossel Rivier. Subsequent grazing rights to Kleinriviervallei (vicinity Stanford) included Jeremias Auret and Christoffel Brand |
|
| 1787 | Bosch Rivier granted to Hendrick Cloete of Groot Constantia. There were no buildings on it at this time (his lovely oxen farm) | |
| 1790's | Jan Cloete He builds the Mondhuis – the first holiday home in the aea | |
| 1798 | Lady Anne Barnard rests at Mondhuis for lunch en route to Drupkelder. Lady Anne Barnard describe the mondhuis: Buildings described as “two small rooms and a nasty little kitchen.” (Burman 17982) | |
| 1817 | Leper Colony established in Hemel-en-Aarde - DR John Barry | |
| 1820's | Hermanus Pieters an itinerant teacher of the district of Caledon. Here he found a fresh water spring at the coast. The place became known as Hermanuspietersfontein | |
| 1837 | Hermanus Pieters dies at Boontjieskraal | |
| 1839 |
Mossel Rivier sold to Alewyn Johannes Smit. Presence of fishermen and lime burners. Growth of fishermen’s informal housing close to the sea |
|
| 1845 | Leper Establishment move to Robben Eiland | |
| 1852 | HMS Birkenhead meets it fate at Danger Point, Gansbaai (shipwreck) | |
| 1854 | 12 Plots surveyed by CR Borcherds. The first 9 plots lay opposite the spring along the NW side of present Marine Drive from Ficks Pool to present Main Road, Hermanus. | |
| 1855 | First Hermanus Pietersfontein plots sold at Caledon and a town was born. Hermanus and it's origin | |
| 1855 | Johannes Michael Henn purchased 1/9 plots at an auction in Caledon for one pound 4 shillings. | |
| 1857 | Michiel Henn and family moved from Herriebaai to settle in Hermanuspietersfontein | |
| 1858 | First child born in Hermanuspietersfonein - James John Warrington | |
| 1860 | Michiel Henn buys a plot of land and an early cottage at Hermanus – situated opposite the present Swallow Park. | |
| 1860 | Duncan McFarlane built second holiday home - The Homestead (Nurses home) | |
| 1860 | Hawston subdivided | |
| 1861 | First Map - CR Borcherds | |
| 1868 | A small building, a "palehuis", was built, to be both English church and school and it was called after the patron saint of fishermen, St. Peter | |
| 1870 | Allengenski Complex built - Today Lemm's Corner | |
| 1875 | 31 July 1875, a "Certificate of Reservationas Commonage" was issued by the Surveyor_General by which "certain Crown Land a64 morgen, sitiated in the Village of Hermanuspietersfontein" | |
| 1878 | A Small building was erected to serve as a Ditch Reformed Church and School | |
| 1897 | St. Peter's Mission School and the Dutch Reformed Church School united to form the "Public School". | |
| 1890’s | Walter.McFarlane decided to enlarge his cottage and about 1890 turned it into a small hotel. It was known as the Victoria Hotel, later the name was changed the name to Astoria Hotel | |
| 1891 | First Village Manage Board established | |
| 1896 | Dr. Joshua Hoffman of Stellenbosch, decided to make use of the bracing quality of hte air of Hermanuspietersfontein and he built a Sanatorium on the westcliff. | |
| 1901 | Mayflower Fishing vessel miraculously saved in stormy seas. | |
| 1902 | Hermanuspietersfontein name changed to Hermanus - it was shortened by the Post Master from Hermanuspietersfontein to Hermanus | |
| 1902 | McFarlane and Beyers built the Marine Hotel | |
| 1902 | Railway line to Bot River – post cart to Hermanus introduced | |
| 1903 | Onrusrivier village established | |
| 1904 | Municipal status for Hermanus | |
| 1904 | Old Harbour wall was built | |
| 1912 | Motor transport introduced – buses and lorries | |
| 1912 | First proper school built (Stone school next to koppie) | |
| 1915 | Crane was built in the Old harbour to assisit with fishing boats | |
| 1928 | Miss Rubery begin Cypress Tree Tea Room (Today the Burgundy Rerstaurant) | |
| 1930 | Sir William Hoy buried on koppie (Hoy’s Koppie) | |
| 1930 | Synagogue was built in the Main Road | |
| 1935 | Gutting tables were built in Old Harbour | |
| 1940 | Hermanus, Poole’s Bay and Mosselrivier amalgamated into one municipality | |
| 1951 | New harbour completed | |
| 1957 | First residents in Zwelihle | |
| 1958 | Last fishing boats in Old Harbour | |
| 1960's | Southern Right Whales started to visit Walkerbay | |
| 1961 | Library was build in Harbour Road | |
| 1970 |
Old Harbour declared a National Monument |
|
| 1974 | Provincial hospital opens its doors | |
| 1976 | De Bos Water and Preekstoel purifying scheme completed | |
| 1977 | Huis Lettie Theron opens its doors | |
| 1977 | New high school building completed | |
| 1987 | De Wets Photo Museum – cottage moved from DRC site to Lemm’s Corner | |
| 1994 | Overstrand Municipality established | |
| 1995 | Hermanus Medi Clinic opens | |
| 1995 | First Passion Play in the old harbour | |
Source
Book: Village of the Sea Arderne Tredgold
S.J du Toit
Old harbour Museum
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