History of Arniston

Province: Western Cape
Overberg
Coordinates; 34°40′0″S 20°13′50″E
Area:3.95 km2
Municipality Cape Agulhas

Dual Names and Historical Shipwreck

Arniston, also known as Waenhuiskrans, derives its name from a tragic event in 1815 when a British transport ship carrying wounded soldiers, women, and children from Ceylon to England ran aground off the coast. Only six passengers survived and were found by Jan Swart, son of the farmer of Elandsvallij, who transported them to Cape Town by ox wagon. Both names, Arniston and Waenhuiskrans, are used for the area today.

Early Inhabitants and European Contact

Arniston was inhabited for thousands of years by the Khoi people. Evidence suggests contact with Europeans as far back as the 16th century, likely with survivors of shipwrecks. By the mid-1600s, settlers at the Cape began exploring the Overberg area, trading with indigenous people and using the land for cattle grazing.

Development as a Fishing Village

Arniston began as a fishing village on the farm Arniston Downs, a loan farm granted to Rietz van Breda and Joubert in 1838. Dirk Uys bought it in 1880 and sold it to Julian and John Pratt in 1894. The village had been a fishing hub since at least 1850, inhabited by indigenous people, descendants of the Hessequa tribe, and freed slaves. It is known for its whitewashed houses with thatched roofs.

Holiday Destination and Land Disputes

Arniston has been a holiday destination since 1860, with records of a local farmer renting his house to guests. In 1905, the Pratt brothers proposed developing the land as a holiday village and relocating the fishermen. This plan faced opposition, leading to a legal dispute that reached the Cape High Court. A settlement allowed the fishing community to buy the land for one shilling each, granting them stands in the village while other developments proceeded.

Modern Developments and Heritage Status

The fishing fleet initially consisted of sailing vessels, with the first motorized boats arriving in 1920 and a harbour built in 1936. Arniston/Waenhuiskrans was declared a town in 1922 and the entire area has been declared a national monument.

Postal code (boxes only) 7280.

WEATHER IN ARNISTON TODAY

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Things to see and do in Arniston

• -Whale watching
• Struispunt beacon/ baken a tall concrete block on the shoreline to warn sailors about submerged rocks.
• Sterna hiking trail
• Spookdraai hiking trail
• Fishing village walk
• –Waenhuiskrans cave
• Kassiesbaai fishing village
• There are many examples of prehistoric fish traps left by the Khoisan Strandlopers (beach walkers) The submerged stone enclosures trap the fish at high tide.
• -Waenhuiskrans nature reserve
• De Mond Nature reserve between Arniston and Struisbaai is a Ramsar site

Useful Numbers in Arniston