Historical Witsand
Witsand and Port Beaufort
Port Beaufort was founded long before Whitesands. It already got its name in 1817 from Lord Charles Somerset. It was, however, properly demarcated in 1831 when the governor of the Cape Colony granted a piece of land of 1419 morgen on the eastern bank of the Breede River to the Port Beaufort Mercantile Establishment who proposed to establish a harbour there. It did indeed develop into a flourishing port in the mid-1800s when the Barry's used the port to establish a coastal trade between the Overberg and Cape Town. (See story: Port Beaufort – a forgotten seaport). Port Beaufort stopped functioning as a port when the company of Barry and Nephews was liquidated in 1866. Eventually, the land known as Port Beaufort came into the hands of Mr Carlson, then Mr Ohlsson and finally, by a private act of parliament it became the private property of Mr Alfred Barry in 1929. It was, however, subdivided and the pieces sold to different buyers in 1831. The current Port Beaufort township borders directly on the township of Whitesands, and the two places are for all intents and purposes one unified town.
Whitesands/Witsand has a different origin altogether. It was part of the farm Westfield, which was the property of Captain Benjamin Moodie, who also owned Grootvadersbos in the Heidelberg district. Westfield bordered on the sea at St Sebastian Bay, and in the south western corner of the farm was a spot marked on early maps as “Whitesands” because of the moving white sand dunes in that area. The Moodies allowed the farmers and town folk to camp in the dunes during holidays. Around 1900 they also gave permission to fishermen to erect cottages in that sandy stretch, to pursue their profession. The demand for plots to erect holiday homes gradually increased and the Moodies asked a surveyor to measure out plots in the area. Eventually they sold the plots and the Whitesands part of the farm to Tomlinson and Rademan, shop owners in Whitesands, and it progressively developed into a popular holiday resort.
Today Whitesands/Witsand and Port Beaufort are a popular resort for fishermen and other holidaymakers. It offers magnificent views on the estuary against the backdrop of the Potteberg to the west. Visitors are often standing in awe when they gaze across the wide river mouth over the bay. The tidal flow of the river and the sheer beauty of the area create an unequalled tranquillity and peacefulness to the surroundings. It is a paradise to residents and visitors alike. For those interested in ecology, the dynamic interphase between river and ocean, the geological structures, the fynbos and duineveld flora and the abundant animal life could prove to be worthwhile study objects. For many others, the natural aesthetics brings about an inner conviction that God has painted on this canvas around the river mouth, one of His most beautiful paintings, to inspire us to give Him the glory as the great Creator.
This information was taken from Jan Langenhovens - Overberg Stories - to read more follow this link to the overberg website - http://www.overberg.co.za/content/blogsection/5/28/25/25/
Whitesands/Witsand has a different origin altogether. It was part of the farm Westfield, which was the property of Captain Benjamin Moodie, who also owned Grootvadersbos in the Heidelberg district. Westfield bordered on the sea at St Sebastian Bay, and in the south western corner of the farm was a spot marked on early maps as “Whitesands” because of the moving white sand dunes in that area. The Moodies allowed the farmers and town folk to camp in the dunes during holidays. Around 1900 they also gave permission to fishermen to erect cottages in that sandy stretch, to pursue their profession. The demand for plots to erect holiday homes gradually increased and the Moodies asked a surveyor to measure out plots in the area. Eventually they sold the plots and the Whitesands part of the farm to Tomlinson and Rademan, shop owners in Whitesands, and it progressively developed into a popular holiday resort.
Today Whitesands/Witsand and Port Beaufort are a popular resort for fishermen and other holidaymakers. It offers magnificent views on the estuary against the backdrop of the Potteberg to the west. Visitors are often standing in awe when they gaze across the wide river mouth over the bay. The tidal flow of the river and the sheer beauty of the area create an unequalled tranquillity and peacefulness to the surroundings. It is a paradise to residents and visitors alike. For those interested in ecology, the dynamic interphase between river and ocean, the geological structures, the fynbos and duineveld flora and the abundant animal life could prove to be worthwhile study objects. For many others, the natural aesthetics brings about an inner conviction that God has painted on this canvas around the river mouth, one of His most beautiful paintings, to inspire us to give Him the glory as the great Creator.
This information was taken from Jan Langenhovens - Overberg Stories - to read more follow this link to the overberg website - http://www.overberg.co.za/content/blogsection/5/28/25/25/
