History of Stellenbosch

Province: Western Cape
Winelands
Coordinates:33°54′S 18°57′E
Area:0.59 km2
Municipality: Stellenbosch

A fertile valley discovered on an interior expedition

On an expedition in 1679 into the interior and towards the “Cape Flats” Simon van der Stel came across a beautiful fertile valley at “Eerste River” (The first new river to be discovered). He was so impressed, that he named the area after himself. as “Van Der Stel’s bush” (Stellenbosch). The area grew quickly. Buildings were constructed using local materials and the rooves were thatched. Stellenbosch became an independent local authority in 1682 and a magisterial district in 1685. Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa. it is often called ‘Eikestad’, which is Afrikaans for; ‘City of Oaks’. The Streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian Architecture in the Cape.

Irrigation project

The Dutch were skilled hydraulic engineers and they built a system of furrows to direct the water from the Eerste Rivier into town by 1690 some Huguenot families settled in Stellenbosch where they planted vines in the fertile ground. It was not long before Stellenbosch became the centre of the local wine industry.
In 1710 a huge fire destroyed most of the town and only two or three houses were left standing. In 1803 a second great fire damaged or destroyed about forty houses. Fortunately, repair and re-erection soon took place.

Schools and universities

Stellenbosch has long been a centre of learning. The first school was built there in 1683. A Dutch reformed seminary was started in 1859 as well as the Rhenish Girls High which is the oldest girl’s school in South Africa was established in 1860. In 1874 Stellenbossche Gymnasium, was established and in 1874 some higher classes became known as Victoria College. In 1918 the University of Stellenbosch was established. The first men’s hostel to be established in Stellenbosch was Wilgenhof, in 1903. In 1905 the first women’s hostel to be established was Harmonie. Harmonie and Wilgenhof were part of the Victoria College

Boer war connection

During the Second Boer War Stellenbosch was used as a British military base. It was used as a “remount” camp where officers who had not distinguished themselves were sent. This gave rise to the expression ” Stellenbosched” which is not complimentary.

1899 Louis Péringuey discovered Paleolithic stone tools of the Acheulean type at a site named Bosman’s Crossing near the Adam Tas Bridge at the western entrance to Stellenbosch.

Postcode for Stellenbosch is 7600  The license plate prefix is CL

Vintage pictures from Saartjie Klipkop

Things to do and see in Stellenbosch

• Jonkershoek panorama circuit trail
• Jonkershoek nature reserve
• Cheese festival
• Stellenbosch Wine Walk is a leisurely 12 km walk with wine tasting and lunch included 021-886 4310
• Pappagaaiberg just west of the town was so named as Simon Van Der Stel made a point of visiting this area on his birthday. A carnival was held where there was target shooting at a parrot-shaped cut-out
• Township tour  0728912021   awaa@webmail.co.za
• Join Stellenbosch on Foot and explore the “village of the oaks”
• Stellenbosch is known for its restored Cape Dutch architecture dating from the 18th and 19th centuries
• Streets lined with majestic oaks.
• In Devon Valley Road The Animal Welfare Society hosts a dog-walking event where you can take a shelter pup for a walk in the vineyards across the road. 021 883 9129
• Gardens and parks include the Braak, a square set aside in 1703 as a military parade ground.

Weather in Stellenbosch today

all listings in stellenbosch

Useful Numbers

• Police: 021 809 5000
• Traffic department: 021 808 8800
• Home affairs: 021 887 4792
• Fire: 021 808 8888
• Municipality: 021 808 8111 emergency 021 8088890
• Okkie Jooste cultural centre : 021 866 1510
• Water:021 808 8111
• Electricity:  021 808 8343
• Ambulance: 021 883 3444
• Post office; Die Boord; 021 886 7521
• Library: 021 808 8385
• Closest hospital; Provincial hospital 021 808 6100
• Mediclinic: 021 861 2000
  Idas Valley clinic 021 887 2721
  Pharmacy
• SPCA: Animal welfare:021 883 9129
• Schools:
• Hoerskool Stellenbosch : 021 887 3082
• Paul Roos Gymnasium: 021 887 0017
• Rhenish Girls High: 021 887 6807
• Rhenish primary: 021 883 3152
• Bloemhof High : 021 887 3044
• AF Louw Primary: 021 886 4791
• Cloetesville High School: 021 889 5424
• Coatesville Primary School: 021 889 5329
• Stellenbosch Laerskool : 021 887 6934
• Rietenbosch primary :021 889 5518Khayamundi High School : 021 889 5481
• Khayamundi primary school : 021 889 5716
• Stellenzicht secondary school : 021 880 1009

• Museum; 021 887 2937
• Tourism 021 883 3584 47 Church Street
• Ratepayers association: 086 675 8040