October 15, 2015
Hermanus History Society

A Swallow Makes a Garden

Magdalena Urina “Swallow” Neethling Born:  28 May 1877                         Died:  7 Aug 1953  1895 at age of 17 began teaching at Kwartelfontein Caledon district. In 1896 during a holiday in Hermanuspietersfontein  she was approached by the then school principal who asked her and convinced her to come and teach in HPF. […]
October 15, 2015
Hermanus History Spociety

History Society book launch

On 3 December an enthusiastic audience of 160 people attended the launch in the Municipal Auditorium of a new book on Hermanus history. The event was held under the auspices of the Hermanus Tourism Bureau as the book recounts the history of the Marine Hotel between 1915 and 1947. The […]
October 13, 2015
Hermanus History Society

Sir William’s Grave: A Lesson in Dedication

The graves of Sir William and Lady Hoy on the summit of Hoy’s Koppie are (regrettably) damaged from time to time. Three months ago vandals with crowbars made a serious attempt to remove the large granite blocks that border the graves. They did not succeed in opening the graves, but […]
September 30, 2015
Hermanus History Society

Route 320 Hemel en Aarde Valley

Painting by Peter Earle Hemel-en-Aarde – Click to view their website Historic map & some concise historical anecdotes used for the history group walks The toll gate On the Hermanus side of the narrow entrance to the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, a government toll house and toll-bar were installed in 1897.  Tariffs included […]