Simon's Town Station Goods Shed
The Goods Shed was built at the same time as the Station and was required because at that time most of the goods moving in and out of Simon's Town were conveyed by rail. Goods coming in included cattle for the Municipal Abattoir at Dido Valley and a cattle yard was situated at the northern end of the Goods Shed. With the decline of Simon's Town businesses activity after the forced removals and the winding down of activity in the Dockyard the railway goods traffic also declined and the Goods shed fell into disuse.The building represents a relatively pristine example of architectural style as it applied to railway architecture in the late 1880s
Simon's Town Station
The extension of the railway line from Kalk Bay to Simon's Town (some six miles) was completed in 1890 and the official opening of the line and new station took place on 1 Dec 1890 by Premier Cecil J Rhodes. There has been little change to the main building over the years. There was also a turntable and a cattle-holding pen. In 1901 several trains a day transported troops and guns and brought several thousand Boer War prisoners to Bellevue camp. The Station played an important role in both World Wars, serving the Naval Base. The Great Dane "Just Nuisance" travelled regularly on this line during WW2. The Station is well maintained and the 100th Anniversary was celebrated on1 Dec 1990. To the south of the station the curved retaining wall of the turntable can still be seen, it is believed that the turntable itself was transferred in 1962 to Loerie on the Apple Express Line in the LangkloofSTHS
Rennick's Cottage
In 1823 William Anderson was granted this freehold land by Charles H Somerset, later ceded to his widow Leah Anderson. James Rennick occupied one of these buildings for many years - a small cottage, which later became known as Rennick's Cottage. James became a gaoler in March 1848 and was later appointed Chief Commissioner Simon’s Town. He filled the post until he died in 1861. Jane was appointed Postmistress in April 1848 and during her term of office saw the start of the penny post in Simon’s Town.To the right of the cottage one can see the start of the old Red Hill road. It is quite impressive how steep it is. this is where outlying farmers brought their produce and cattle down to the local market.STHS
Squires Building
In 1823 William Anderson was granted freehold by Charles H Somerset . Later ceded and transferred to his widow Leah Anderson. In 1873 George Ryall Budge bought the property and in 1903 sold it to EA Squire who demolished the existing buildings and using his own construction company Barraball & Squires built ‘Squires Building’. In 1939 bequeathed from the estate late EA Squire to Richard Squire. Now owned by the Hoosen family. On the south wall one can see an early example of a Victorian post box.STHS
Site of Old Toll Gate
The toll gate was situated at a narrow part of the Main Road where the present Jubilee Street joins it. A wooden fence extended across the road from Admiralty House wall to the Toll House which controlled traffic both to Simon's Town and to Redhill and Wildschutsbrand. Tariffs collected were used to keep the road in repair. The Kalk Bay toll gate was abandoned in 1815 in favour of the Simon's Town toll gate which continued operating until 15 August 1901.It is said that a certain admiral made an extra gateway in the Admiralty House wall to evade the toll gate. Officers in uniform were exempt when on horseback but not when in a carriage.STHS
Admiralty House
The first ever land grant in Simon's Town was awarded to Antoni Visser in 1743, but the original building on the site dates back to the late 1720s. This building was later enlarged and used as a lodging house. It passed into Royal Navy ownership in 1814 when it became the home of the Commander in Chief of the South Atlantic Station. In 1957 it was taken over by the South African Navy and remained the home of the Chief of the Navy until Naval Headquarters moved to Pretoria in 1977. The building recently underwent extensive restoration. Interesting to note that the top left hand window is a fake.The property was renamed Admirals House in 1957.Across the road from the main entrance stands a huge pepper tree saved from being cut down by Lady Joy Packer, author and wife of Sir Herbert Packer, the only full Admiral to live in Admiralty House. She wrote "Apes and Ivory" in the sunroom on the north-east corner of the house.The cannons in the garden are Portuguese from 1600's which came via India and Zanzibar and the figurehead is a copy from HMS Flora. The yellowwood tree to the right of the cannons was planted by King George VI during the Royal Visit to SA in 1947.
Admiral's Garden
The Admiral's garden was originally Mrs Hurter's garden where produce was grown to supply her Lodging House and from which surplus was probably sold to the town's folk and the Navy. After the property was purchased by the Admiralty it continued to serve a similar purpose in providing Admiralty House and other Naval establishments with fresh produce. A wall was built in 1861 to enclose the garden. Now somewhat neglected.STHS
Old Bridge
The stream occupying the high-level Klaver Vlei behind the Simon's Berg takes a very sharp bend and descends abruptly via the Waterfall and Bavian's Kloof to emerge through the admiral's gardens to the sea. The lower level portion of the stream does not seem to have been called anything but the Brook. The Main Road crosses the brook by a bridge which is believed to be one of the oldest existing bridges in South Africa. Ascent of the steep bank on the Simon's Town side of the brook by tired animals and people journeying from Cape Town became intolerable and in 1815 the bridge was built to alleviate the problem. The bridge was widened to meet the demands of present day traffic. Although these improvements have disguised the old bridge, the remains of which still exist (see photo) below the new road, they cannot annul the historical fact of its antiquity.STHS
StudLands
The origin of Studland reveals a compromise between the needs of sailors ashore and the needs of the authorities for a modicum of decorum in a seaport town. Immediately after the occupation of 1795 Admiral Elphinstone had shrewdly noticed a strategically placed wine house at the shoreward end of the landing jetty. Many of the seaman coming ashore never got beyond that and it seemed prejudicial to order.The owner was forced to close down and was offered a new site at a distance from the public wharf. The actual grant of land was made to Johannes Paulus Eksteen in 1797 for the establishment of a "Wijn Huys" that had to meet certain conditions. The wine house was to be built in a position with the entrance shielded from the main road to the military hospital in accordance with and agreement with Major Grimston.The adjacent brewery, behind Yarra Yarra, built before 1830 was an adjunct to the wine house and the brewer lived in Studland. Studland was declared a National Monument in 1965 but has since been reclassified as a Provincial Monument. Recently converted into private residential units.STHS
Yarra Yarra
A pair of semi-detached dwellings built in the garden of Studland in 1897. The architect was Vixseboxse who was once State Architect, first in the Transvaal Republic and later in the Orange Free State. The building is plastered and. the front wings are painted in imitation of red face brick, while the gables have Queen Ann type wood ornamentation. It is well preserved in its original state and is a good example of the architecture of its periodThe building is a Provincial Heritage siteSTHS
Waterfall Road
Waterfall Road that runs up the side of Yarra-Yarra towards the waterfall is probably the site of what was known as the Ropewalk. A long piece of ground for twisting rope was a rare phenomenon in Simon's Town. Such ropery was highly necessary and in the words of the then Naval Commissioner (1814) "the place most eligible and most least likely to interfere with any individual" was the ravine that runs from Mrs Hurter's garden to the foot of the mountain.STHS
Admirals Office
The first correspondence with regard to this building was in October 1901. In 1902 it was decided to build a house which would consist of four bedrooms, one sitting room, one dining room and one kitchen. This was proposed by civil engineers in the Dockyard and plans were approved in 1903, with the building completed at the end of the same year. and it was known as the admiral's new office as the first was down in the West Dockyard. With the building of the East Dockyard in 1900 it was realised that the Admiral had to move to higher ground in order for him to communicate with the fleet. Remember that semaphore and signals by hoisting flags were the only way to pass signals to ships lying in the bay. You have to be able to see the ships to use this system. Upstairs was the admiral's office and down stairs his boat crew facilities.STHS
The Residency
The Residency which houses the Simon's Town Museum was originally built in 1777 as a winter residence for the Governor of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape. It was later used as a Customs House, Hospital, Police Station, Post Office and finally as the Magistrate's Court and residence until 1979.After the construction of the new Magistrates Court the building was left unoccupied and was ceded to the Simon's Town Museum in 1983. Extensive renovations were undertaken and the building remains the home of the Museum to this day.STHS
St Francis Church
The first St Francis Church was completed on the site of the old DEIC granaries between the Residency and Admiralty House in 1837 and consecrated by the Bishop of Tasmania in 1843. It was named St Frances as a mark of respect to the Governor, Sir Lowry Cole's wife Frances. The original building was a "simple rectangular Greek temple with a low pitched zinc roof, ceiling and square windows" There was a temple portico with Doric Columns on the west façade. In 1867 the church was enlarged by enclosing the colonnaded porch and adding a vestry. In 1881 it was virtually rebuilt, the Sanctuary was moved to the west end and a new chancel, organ chamber, choir vestry and bell tower were added. In 1912 the pitched roof was raised and tiled with slate. The ceiling was removed and the original wooden beams exposed. Gothic windows were installed in 1924 and in 2019 three windows commemorating the members of the congregation who were victims of the Group Areas Act of 1967 were installed.The Church was re-named St Francis of Assisi in 1958STHS
Naval Residences
These buildings are situated in the West Dockyard and are difficult to see over the wall, only the backs are visible from St George's Street. These three Residences are the site of the Postholder's House that was erected in 1758, and for many years after the British Occupation of the Cape, the building was referred to as the Army Mess House. The first occupants were either Adriaan De Neys or Jan Frederick Kirsten. Swedish writer, Jacob Wallenberg, wrote in 1770 of being entertained by Postholder Kirsten in his comfortable house. Christoffel Brand succeeded Kirsten and he entertained many important visitors including Joseph Banks, Captain Cook and Captain George Vancouver.Thibault's 1814 survey shows the house in its original form. When the Naval establishment moved to Simon's Bay the building was taken over by the naval authorities for the housing of the three principal officers of the Naval Yard. Major alterations took place in 1815/1816, a second storey was added and the house divided into two. A front section was also added to form the third house and the enclosing wall was built at the same time. These houses appear to be among the oldest in Simon's Town.STHS
OIrdanance House & Sunnyside
At the corner of the Main Road and Arsenal Road - The houses were mirror images of one another originally built as residences for Royal Naval personnel, Ordnance being occupied by the Senior Gunnery NCO and Sunnyside by the Senior Foreman Shipwright. Sunnyside was then allocated to an Assistant Constructor who was being transferred from Hong Kong to Simon’s Town when the Foreman Shipwright left for UK. Somehow he managed to obtain house plans while still overseas and wrote to the “Powers That Be” stating that as he had a young family and a nursemaid the house would be too small for him. Also he intended entertaining and required a larger dining room. The Admiralty obviously approved his plans and Sunnyside was extended to accommodate him and his family. STHS
Sr Francis Mision School
St Francis Mission School, built as St Frances English Church Mission School in 1943 opposite the Mast House in St George's St., by the Church of St Francis on the site of the The Girls' School of Industry. It was a new two-storeyed building to accommodate 130 boys and girls of all races. It was extended in 1959 when the school had 300 pupils. As most were from poor homes, a feeding scheme provided pupils with bread and jam or soup. The school was closed in 1969 after the proclamation of the Group Areas Act. Funds obtained from the sale of the property were used to establish the Church of St Clare in Ocean View. The building was taken over by the Dept. of Public Works and occupied as offices for the SA Navy and Ministry of Defence.STHS
Old Mast House & Sail Loft
These buildings are situated in the West Dockyard and house the South African Naval Museum and St George's Church; the Museum is open to the public during the advertised opening hours.It was not until 1814 that the building now known as the Mast House and Sail Loft were built by Sir Jahleel Brenton. The length was such that it could accommodate the largest of masts off the ships that would call at Simon's Town while the sail loft could handle any repair as these were merely hoisted up to the second floor of the building. The Boat House has almost exactly the same length as the Mast House. The Clock Tower was completed at the same time as the rest of the building and the clock, the oldest public clock in SA still in good working order, has been serving the Town for the past 200 years.Church services were held in the Sail Loft until 1935 when the Church took over on a permanent basis. The stained glass windows over the altar are the work of the late James Hogan of Whitefriars Glassworks UK who constructed the large windows in Liverpool Cathedral after the bombing of WW2STHS
Old Aerial Ropeway
The Aerial Ropeway owes its existence to the fact that the Royal Navy needed to build a new hospital and sanatorium, the old hospitals having been in use since 1810 and 1812. This was to be South Africa’s very first passenger rope way – the only other rope way at this stage was in Simon’s Town for the building of the Dry Dock to transport materials only. Works department started erecting standards of tarred wood for carrying the wire rope in January or February 1903. In March the brushwood surrounding the area was cleared by fire to a width of 40 ft on either side. Among those that were employed in the erection of the pylons were the Kroomen. In 1913 the wooden supports of the aerial rope way were replaced by the present steel structure as a result of frequent bush fires. In 1927 the Aerial Rope way was shut down and in 1934 the wire ropes were removed. The reason why the ropeway was shut down was that it was used once a week solely for the transport of stores to the Hospital and Sanatorium and a notice was issued by the Officer Commanding the Dockyard to all ships and stations that it would be out of action for that day.It appears that this routine signal was picked up by some bright public servant in Whitehall and he found what he considered a dead loss . He reported the affair and stated that the ropeway was costing too much since not a week passed without it being out of action and that in his opinion it should be closed down. At the time there was a big economy drive on the go and so the Aerial Ropeway was shut down.STHS
Dockyard Police Flats
The first recorded history was when a letter was sent from the Admiralty in 1903 stating that there was a requirement for residences for warders. A tender document was sent out for six houses and Mr John Squire won the tender. The plans were turned down by the Simon's Town Municipality because of the slopes shown on the plans. On 18th November the foundations were laid for four houses. Houses number 5 and 6 would follow leaving a gap for the aerial rope way. On 14 June 1904 work was stopped. In 1906 four houses were finally built after a number of work stoppages after re-allocation of tenders to the same Mr Squires due to a lack of funds. Houses 5 and 6 were never built.STHS
Old Dockyard Store Houses
Situated in the West Dockyard precinct and only the rear of the buildings can be seen from St George's Street. Work on the original two storey building commenced in 1742 to Baron Von Imhoff's design and in accordance with the Dutch East India Company's declaration in 1741 that Simon's Town must be the winter anchorage for their ships. In July 1765 these storehouses were extended. The work was completed in February 1768 and included accommodation for crew, sick sailors, hospital personnel, a blacksmith's workshop and bakery. The British, after 1795, did further renovations and the building was thereafter used only for stores. In 1878 a third storey and a low pitch roof were added and the building divided into two sections to allow access to the rear. This old building has enjoyed continuous use for over 260 years and is now utilised by the South African Navy.STHS
Lankester Building
Details of previous buildings on this site are sketchy. The present building was erected in 1902 and it originally had a full balcony across the frontage. It is one of the many buildings designed by Parker & Forsyth, Cape Town architects. It was actually Parker himself who was involved with Simon's Town as he was a great friend of William Runciman the Mayor Parker being Mayor of Cape Town at the time). Parker's influence on the town was considerable. He designed the Glencairn Hotel and a number of early houses in Glen Road as well as many buildings on the Historic MileSTHS
Lord Nelson Hotel
The first grant was to William Hurter in 1798. He built a tavern and sold in 1814 to Wolke, the Toll keeper. Resold in 1829, by this date a lodging house had been built on the site. In 1840 it was purchased by by William Cogill. and operated as the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Ohlssons Breweries purchased the property in 1880 and this was rebuilt in 1929. The present hotel is named after Lord Nelson and legend has it that he came ashore in Simon's Town as a sick young midshipman to recuperate from 21 May to 21 June 1776 but there is no evidence that he actually came ashore. It is reputed that George Bernard Shaw had lunch here while on a visit to Simon's Town.STHS
Dominion Textile Building
The history of this building is obscure but from studying the structure and old photographs it can be seen that the design is very similar to the building which stands on the same erf (Anthony's Building). The parapet moulding and door and window frames are the same style and the verandah pillars and railings were the same until the structure was knocked down in a motor vehicle accident. It is probable therefore that its history is very similar to that of Anthony's Building situated on the south side of this building.STHS
Anthony's Building
The land was first transferred by Deed of Grant in 1799 and was later subdivided. The present building was erected in 1820. In 1848 the property was sold at a public sale in execution (ref James Bailey) as two lots; Lot l was sold to P.F. Hugo and H.P. Hablutzel, Lot 2 was sold to Fredrick Johannes De Wet. In the same year J.F. De Wet ceded his portion of the land with Buildings to Pieter De Waal. In 1860 the property was ceded from the estate of P. De Waal to William Grout who on the same day, 24 March 1860, transferred the same to A. Vincent. In 1882 the property was transferred to one B. Anthony. It then passed into the Ajam family and Benn and Van Der Vlies (Pty Ltd)STHS
E K Green's Building
The Erf was surveyed in 1799 and in 1845, the land was transferred to one James Bailey. In 1848 the property with certain buildings thereon was transferred to Pieter Francois Hugo and Heinrich Pieter Hablutzel. A condition of the transfer was that the wall between the buildings on this Erf and the buildings on the Erf on the northern side (Erf 885) would remain as a common wall. The property with buildings was sold by Public Auction to E.K. Green and Co. in 1902. Plans for a Bottle Store, designed by Parker and Forsyth, were passed by the Municipality in March 1905. The plan shows the front wall facing the street and the wall against the old wall of the Prince Alfred as being new. The north wall, which is also the wall of Anthony's Building is old and maybe the wall referred to in the Transfer Deed dated 23 Jan 1850.STHS
Prince Alfred Building
The land was granted in 1798 but first record of a building was 1802 when a dwelling house and store were built on the property. The delay in building was the result of a dispute with the Navy over the stream that ran through the site that was an important source of water for the ships. A condition for the construction was that the stream be tunnelled under the new building. A new frontage was added in 1822 and it was revamped again in the early 1900s when it became a hotel and a single gable and covered balcony were added. The building is named after Prince Alfred who visited Simon's Town as a midshipman in 1860 and again as the Duke of Edinburgh in 1867 when he was in command of HMS Galatea.The Wesleyan Methodist Church built in 1828 can be seen on the hillside behind the Prince Alfred. It is the oldest Methodist Church in continuous use in South Africa.STHS
Africa Station Club
The land was first granted in 1796 and for many years it was used as a cattle assembly enclosure (Beestekraal) where animals were kept prior to shipment to St Helena. A small hut on the south-east side of the enclosure was known as the Slaughter House. In 1808 it became a Cooperage. The land was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1834 which later focused on the welfare and entertainment of sailors. The quarry stone building was built in 1873 for the convenience of CPO’s & PO’s and in 1880 the ‘Africa Station Club’ was established. In 1944, the Navy War Fund financed the rear portion of the building to be demolished and a 3-storey extension was added. Since the 1950s the building has provided accommodation for several Naval administrative branches.STHS
Old Guard & Customs House
This building was erected circa 1814 and has been used for many things including a Customs House and Guard House. In 1890 it was used for making soda water for the Royal Navy. It was also used as a Barber Shop by both the Royal and South African Navies. It was also used as a command post for the Shore Patrol of both Navies but this practice was discontinued some time ago. In 1899 Edgar Wallace worked out of this building as a medical orderly and where he met his future wife who was the daughter of the local Methodist minister. The building is currently unoccupied.STHS
Kirsten's Complex Naval Flats
Built as part of Kirsten's complex in 1796. Originally a stable in front with a laundry behind and with a small cellar. The late Prof. Pryce-Lewis suggested that there was also a billiard room! In 1890 the entire structure was converted by the British Govt. into three flats for residential and/or office accommodation.STHS
Kirsten's Complex Westgate Terrace
Architectural drawings done by Prof O Pryce-Lewis from early pictures and measurements, show this a most elegant and imposing building. As a Lodging House it would have been "in opposition" to Auret's Lodging House alongside!STHS
Kirsten's Complex Westhof Building
In 1803 Kirsten sold the warehouse to Westhof who converted it into a residence. Bought by British Govt in 1813 as part of entire Kirsten Complex for Victualling Dept. Became the Naval Club in 1868 and in 1890 the front facade was changed with building of the arches and enclosed balcony. SA Navy take over in 1957, closed the Naval Club and formed SA Naval Church Centre. Currently Offices SA Naval Reserve.STHS
Runciman Building
Originally built in 1785 by Jeremias Auret as a lodging house. At various times used as a private dwelling, bonded store, chandlers, warehouse. From 1860 the building housed the Post Office. Bought in 1898 by William Runciman who employed the architect John Parker to design the impressive Victorian façade to replace the Cape Dutch style frontage. It can be seen that this carries no name and is askew to the side walls.. For many years the building housed a grocery, bottle store and chemist. There is believed to be little change in the fabric of the building since 1899.STHS
United Services Building
The foundation stone of United Services Institute was laid 27 Oct 1905 by Rear Adm. J Dunford, it s best known as Just Nuisance's first home in Simon's Town.The window on the right hand side with the emblem over the top used to be a doorway and it is here that Just Nuisance liked to stretch out and enjoy the sun or have a nap. Transferred to the SA Navy in 1957. In 1994 it was Naval base Sports Office. and is still in use as office accommodation by SA Navy.STHS
Tennant's Building
The building and its curtilage was originally known as "Tennant's Building" but more commonly as "Ajam's Building". In use in 1798 as a storehouse it was subsequently owned by John Osmond in 1814 and has considerable history and associated heritage value. Its proximity to the British Hotel, the Imperial Cold Storage Building and the former United Services Building makes it part of an important group of buildings in in both heritage and architectural terms.STHS
De Beer's Building
Probably one of the smallest architectural commissions ever undertaken by Sir Herbert Baker, better known for the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Groote Schuur. Originally designed in 1901 as Cold Storage depot for Imperial Cold Storage who supplied Royal Navy with meat (Company of Cecil Rhodes) In 1921 purchased by Standard Bank and converted to bank premises and used as such for some 40 years, later used for various commercial enterprises Declared a National Monument in 1981.STHS
West Dockyard Gates
The first (left hand side) gates were manufactured for the British Navy in the West Dockyard smithery by Charles Henry Algar in 1863. The gates were originally positioned just across the road from the Westhof building and almost faced directly down St George's Street. They were moved to their present position during the widening of the main road in the 1970s. The leaves were originally separated by a stone pillar. This was removed in WW2 and the two side pedestrian gates moved to a central position . The second matching pair of gates (right hand pair) were manufactured for the SA Navy in 1966 in the East Dockyard Foundry by Mr Claude Randall. Unfortunately these gates have been removed by the South African Navy and can no longer be seen from St George's Street.To the right of the gates is the Wall of Memory along which plaques depicting life in Simon's Town prior to the forced removals can be seen.STHS
British Hotel Building
Original Erf was owned by Jeremias Auret (1798). Later sold to Widow Rossouw and in 1814 to Gerhardus Hurter & soon after to John Osmond. In 1830 John Clarence established the Clarence Hotel. In 1842 Hugh Green purchased and established the British Hotel. It did not prosper and in 1895 was "raised to the ground". In 1898 John Parker built the new British Hotel. Cecil Rhodes attended the celebration opening the Railway line in 1890. Mary Kingsley stayed there in 1899 during the Boer War. The building was in disrepair and fire damaged in 1971 restored 1991 in now consists of private suites. Original grand bar mirror is in the Simon's Town Museum.STHS
ABC Building
Belonged to N Sertyn in 1814 and could have been the house used by Golovnin in 1809 for his Observatory and Chronometer setting? Changed hands many times. In 1851 described as 12 rooms and a store. In 1887 was a Naval Club. In 1897 to SA Milling Co. supplied RN with bread etc by Attwell's Baking Company until 1929. In 1900 was extensively rebuilt to Victorian styleIn 1989 "2 shops,workshop,store,2 offices and balcony, showroom, 5 living rooms and 2 bathrooms. In 1974 was unoccupied and fell into disuse until restored in 1977. In 2008 present owner made extensive interior and some exterior alterations.STHS
Central Hotel Building
1798 Deed to Gideon Rossouw. In 1829 sold to William Cooper and in 1842 to George Huskisson "with house and premises" In 1860 the Central Hotel was built. Sold to Ohlssons Cape Breweries in 1894 additions, alterations with 10 bedrooms, dining room and billiard room were made Sold in 1957 when the face brick frontage was added. Severe damage was caused by landslides in 1905, 1954 and 1955 with a temporary closure of hotel. In 1997 the upper storey was reopened as an upmarket B/B but there are still today concerns regarding the stability of the embankment. The Royal Mail left from Central Hotel from 1865.STHS
Old Fish Market
On 02/07/1886 ST Council met and a sub committee earmarked a site for the new fish market. On 4th July 1925 the new fish market was opened However, the fishing folk slowly disappeared from Simon’s Town and redoubtable characters could no longer ply their trade. One of the most remembered fishmongers of the time was the outspoken but friendly Mrs Holland who sold fish from the market for many years. She was followed by a Mrs Vandre who sadly had great difficulty in getting fresh fish and had to close down. The building remained empty for a year until it was refurbished and opened as 'Salty Sea Dog'.STHS
Cader's Building
In the year 1806 or thereabouts, this building and the two adjacent were built, probably by John Osmond, as a ‘spec’ on land owned by his mother-in-law widow Rossouw. It was bought in 1807 by Jan Gustav Aspeling, who sold it eight years later to Edmund Miller. On his death, it passed to his wife Mary who died intestate in 1838. It was then bought by their son John Miller, and after his death, six years later, was bought by their son -in-law, Thomas Bull, a retired Naval Lieutenant, who owned it until his death in 1872. From then, until 1918, it was owned by William Alexander and then owned by A.H.C. Miller, grandson of Edmund and Mary until November1926 when it was bought by Abdul Cader and he opened ‘Central Supply Store’. He came to Simon’s Town from India in 1903 and worked in Mr Runciman’s shop until he and his partner ran a fruit store for 20 years . He died in 1942 and the property was transferred on 20/07/1945 to his sons Abdurahman (Raymond), Mohammed (Hamied) and Abdul Razak (Jackie) born in Drostdy House in 1935. Mr GM Patel ran the business for seven years, until the sons were old enough to take over.STHS
Willet's Building
In 1798 the land was transferred from J M Endres to Gideon Rossouw. Sub-divided in 1811 with a portion going to Gerrit Munnik. A building was erected and in 1813 transferred to Jacob Bruce. In 1816 transferred to Louis Hove who went bankrupt. In 1822 bought by Harry Batt and operated as the "The Crown And Anchor Inn . There were three bedrooms, a kitchen and billiard room on the ground floor, five bedrooms on the first floor, run and owned by a number of people including John Clarence, Abraham Levien, William Coghill, Thomas White, Sarah Leonard and John Barry. Bought by George Willet in 1878 and renamed "Willet's Masonic Building" until his death in 1897 when it was sold to Ohlsson's Cape Brewery., renovated as the "Masonic Hotel" until 1931. Altered into a butchery - the billiard room becoming a sausage making room. Sold in 1920s to Clarence Garfield Eaton and converted in to a Drapery Store - Building named "Eaton's Building". Sold in 1962 to Hendrik Louw who returned it to being a Butchery. Sold in 1973 to Nigel Farquharson and converted back into a Drapery shop called "Matelot". Recently refurbished with upstairs accommodation and downstairs restaurant.STHS
Whyte's Building
The erven between present Rectory Lane and Union Street was initially purchased by John Osmond from the Widow Rossouw in 1846 who constructed a store building on it. He ceded it to his daughter Agnes Barrow who sold part of it to John Wright & Alexander Black, parts to George Stadler, Tiffley Manual, and parts to Wright and Stadler over the period 1847 to 1854. Stadler built a grocery store and bakery which was operated, and later owned by D Mc Kay a leading suburban bakery until 1899.The manager, Robert Whyte bought the property, demolished the buildings and built the three storied building with a modern bake house with up to date sanitation and ventilation trading as a "Confectioner & General Dealer selling English & French Confectionery". The 1st floor comprised a sitting room, dining, kitchen, servant's, pantry, lobby and five bedrooms with a verandah over the pavement. The rear building around the courtyard provided a yeast, fuel, flour, bake house, oven room, store rooms & cart house. After a fire the main front building was rebuilt but as a two storeyed building. Later owners have been, Patel & Khan, Fred Leih, and presently a Mr. Botha. For a while it was the Kay & Moore Hardware Store. Now occupied by a furniture store.STHS
Strand House
This property initially belonged to H Roselt (1801) later sold to John Osmond and inherited by his daughter Agnes Barrow It was later sold on to John Wright and Alexander Black in 1850. Eventually bought by R J Rayner in 1869, who then builds a Shop, Store and Dwelling. In 1909 Rayner appoints Parker & Forsyth to design the present street frontage. A portion is sold to Charles James Wright who owns it until his death in 1951. when it passed into the hands of his daughter. Gladys Margaret Dilley bought the property in 1957.STHS
Regent House
Previously owned by Henry Roselt (1801) sold in 1829 to John Osmond - and inherited by his daughter Agnes Barrow. After several other owners it was bequeathed to Edith Alice Lankester in 1861 and is named Regent House for the first time. After passing through several hands it was sold in 1955 to George V Williams who ran an Electrical business there for many years . In 1986 Gladys Dilley Estates become tenants and in 1994 D W Dilley purchases the building to run an estate agency and an Allied Building Society Branch. Presently there is a store on the street level and an Apartment on the 1st floor accessed from Rectory Lane.STHS
Rectory Building
1815 - Built on open land (previous Govt "Shambles" - abattoir) alongside the newly built St George's Church as a Parsonage, the land granted by Colonial Government. In 1816 a School Room was added (First school in Simon's Town)In 1819 a flood destroyed the Church and badly damaged the Parsonage and was later repaired. In 1849 the property was transferred by Deed to the Anglican Church. An 1890 early photograph shows a simple two storey with covered front verandah. In 1904 the building was converted to shops and in 1909 an upstairs balcony was added and advertised as the St Leger Balcony for fine meals. In 1930 the back rooms consolidated to a two room flat and an identical upstairs floor added.STHS
Criterion Building
In 1803 stables were erected here. In 1804 the property was transferred to Maude & Robertson and a large "pakhuis" was built. In 1813 sold to Church of England, converted to Church. On 24 April 1814 St George's Church, so named by Sir John Cradock, was opened with Reverend George Hough as the first Chaplain. In 1819 the building was badly damaged by storm water and again in 1824 storm water washed away almost the entire building that was never restored as a church. In 1846 the site was sold but appears to have remained derelict. In 1921 a new building was erected by G Lowings and the Criterion Cinema was opened. Mr Wallace was the first manager after which the cinema was run by the Forster family until it was taken over by 20th Century Fox. Initially there were silent movies with piano accompaniment. In 1951 plans for alterations were approved and in 1961 a new facade was erected. The cinema closed in 1973 and has been used for various commercial enterprises ever since.STHS
Simon's Town Chambers
In 1818 original Deed was to the "Free School" and in 1826 a building was erected as a school which became Simon's Town's first High School. From 1885 the building served as Municipal Offices. Deeded in 1905 to the Simon's Town Municipality and in 1913 was rebuilt as Simon's Town Municipal Building. In 1953 the building was sold into private hands and was later renamed "Simon's Town Chambers.STHS
Amlay's Building
In 1803, land in the southern portion of St George’s Street, was subdivided off land belonging to H Roselt, and was transferred to Johan Albert Dell. In 1809 it was purchased by William Westhof and in 1814 sold to Christian M Lind, the local magistrate. In 1846 it was subdivided in his estate and sold off in lots.Lot #5 (now erf 1008), with a small store with tethering for horses, was bought by John Hare. It was sold to John Huxtable in 1848 who also bought erf 1009 in 1853. In 1856 both erven were bought by John Richard Black. In 1899 the trustees of the Estate of the late J R Black erected a building with 2 shops and a dwelling above on erf 1008. Mrs Jacobson (a trustee) divided the upstairs dwelling into two in 1923, and in 1924 built small premises with a retaining wall at the back on erf 1009. In 1928 an ‘offal’ room was added with wc’s. Both erven were bought by D.A. Amlay in 1929 and new shop fronts were erected in 1962. One shop was occupied by Mr Patel, a general dealer, and the other by Amlay the butcher. St George’s Jewellers occupied Patel’s shop in 1972. George M Bowes bought both erven from Amlay in 1973. The property has subsequently been sold to a new owner who has restored the shop front to the same style as the original.STHS
Jubilee Square
The original Market Square dates from the late 1700s. Wagons would outspan here and trade produce. A notice in July 1824 detailed the opening hours of the Market. In the 1900s the square was gradually taken over as a car park. In 1933 the square was renovated and the Queen Victoria Jubilee Fountain was moved there and mounted on a large circular base. On 6 May 1935 the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary was celebrated. 12 palm trees were planted and the square renamed Jubilee Square. in 1985 the the Queen Victoria fountain was moved to the middle of the front dais. The bronze statue of Just Nuisance was unveiled on 12 July 1985. Plaques recording other interesting aspects of Simon's Town's History can be found around the SquareSTHS
Just Nuisance Statue
This statue, created by Jean Doyle, was erected in 1985 to commemorate the life of the Great Dane "Just Nuisance", a morale booster for the troops serving in World War 2. He was enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1939. As a member of the armed forces, he would be entitled to free rail travel and one of his self-appointed roles was to accompany sailors on train journeys and escort them back to base when the pubs closed. In 1944 he was buried with full naval honours, including a gun salute and the playing of the "Last Post". A simple granite headstone marks his grave, which is on the top of the hill at Klaver, at the former SA Navy Signal School.Visit the Simon's Town Museum in Court Road for further details on the life of this extraordinary dog.STHS
Victoria Jubilee Fountain
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated on 21 June 1897, and two years later an ornate fountain with a paraffin-burning lamp was imported from England and erected in St George’s Street opposite the Mast House. Similar fountains were mounted in Rondebosch and Mowbray, and possibly elsewhere in the Peninsula. The fountain was moved to Jubilee Square in 1935, by which time the paraffin lamp had been replaced with an electric light. The fountain was again moved to its present situation next to the Just Nuisance and the lamp was replaced with a modern fitting. The Simon’s Town Historical Society later replaced this lamp with an exact copy of the Victorian original.STHS
Sartorial Building
The Erf on which this property stands was once part of the estate Constantia. The existing building was erected in 1845 after a store on the site was demolished. It was the original premises of butchers Hablutzel and Hugo. It later became Amlay's Butcher shop and in 1936 it was used to accommodate the "Simon's Town Social and Billiard Club". This did not last long and in 1943 the naval tailor and outfitters A.T.Manuel and son opened their business there. They traded there for 54 years; they named the building Sartorial House.STHS
Dawood's Building
A large land grant, which was named ‘Constantia’, was made c1749 and a grand dwelling named "Constantia House" was constructed on the site. A portion owned by Alexander Tennant was transferred to John Osmond and later the whole area was transferred to HP Hablutzel & PJ Hugo; the buildings date back to the 1860s. The property was eventually purchased by Esack Omar Dawood in 1939. Esack came to Simon’s Town in early 1910s from the state 'Maharashtra' in India. The Dawoods ran their general stores here for many years and the properties are still in the family's estate.STHS
Porter's Building
Originally a store (pakhuis) on the Constantia Estate Farm which was bought by John Osmond. Eventually bought by Howell and operated as Howell Grocery Business until 1890's; it became known as "Howell's Building". Howell made alterations in 1930. Later when Mr Patel had a General Dealers shop there, it became known as "Patel's Building". Bought by Irene Porter in 1996 - some alterations and "restoration" were carried out and it became known as "Porter's Building".Looking up Alfred Lane alongside this building you can see the Nooral Islamic Mosque. Built in 1926, it replaced an earlier place of worship that had been a private house to which a wooden minaret had been added.STHS
Bay View House
Bay View House was in existence before 1806, on a portion of an estate called Constantia which dates to 1749. The estate passed through the hands of several owners, and was bought in 1801 by Alexander Tennant who shortly afterwards went bankrupt. The estate was subdivided by the trustees into 12 lots, two of which were bought on the premise that the departure of the British would enhance business. The re-occupation by the British in 1806 caused the owners to give up their property. The following advertisement describes it:Public Sale: On Monday, the 16 June 1806, will be sold by public sale at Simon's Town - A new built House and Packhouse, consisting of five upper and three lower rooms, and other necessary apartments.The property was purchased by Wm. Hopley who went bankrupt 18 months later. The eldest of the ten sons of Jan Pieter Kirsten held it for thirteen years before financial difficulties caused him to sell it in 1821. He advertised it as “a House, Store, and Hire House consisting of many spacious rooms, out offices and stabling for 16 horses, well calculated for lodgings or to carry on the Baker's trade". There were no buyers and Mr Kirsten too became insolvent. At a public sale by the Sequestrator, the property, like nearly every other property in Simon's Town was acquired by John Osmond. The following year, the Reverend George Sturt, the Colonial Chaplain, complained of 'yet another wine house' and this was John Osmond's most recent acquisition, run by a Mr Webster. The proximity of the Naval Hospital was one of the causes of trouble: ‘medical' comforts', not prescribed by the doctors, were readily available. Distress caused by the sight of sickness and suffering was promptly alleviated. There were repeated complaints from naval captains and naval surgeons. One of the captains in a letter to the Magistrate said ‘I leave you to judge, Sir, how incorrigible the patients at the the Hospital are, when I was under the necessity of punishing a patient by flogging in the Hospital by way of an example to others, yet still drunkenness prevails to a frightful degree and no reasonable cause can be assigned was for it but the Canteen adjoining the Hospital'.Repeated prosecution for ignoring the 9 pm closing time had no effect; finally after a particularly riotous evening, the Resident Magistrate ordered the Canteen to be closed. The Pachters or farmers of the liquor licence, regarded this as an infringement of their rights which had cost them 30,000 rix dollars (£2,250). The Governor, feeling that the colony could not afford to lose this revenue, re-opened the Canteen but with a new canteen-keeper. The bankruptcy of the Pachters in 1828 brought these troubles to an end. The house was then acquired by the harbour masterand sold again a few years later to Henry Rogers who acted as harbour Master. A portion of the house, because of its view of the harbour, was leased to the Government as the Port Office between 1866 and 1878.After the death of Henry Rogers' widow, her brother, Richard Charles Thomas, bought the house. He was Assistant Keeper of the Roman Rock Lighthouse. Charles Thomas papered the walls with postage stamps and the house has for years also been known as the 'Stamp' house. More recently it has been used as a commercial property. The building was declared a National Monument (now Provincial) in 1982.STHS
Town Hall
The building was constructed in 1940 as the "Soldiers and Sailors Rest Room" using public subscription funds collected by SAWAS (South African Women's Auxiliary Services), for use as a rest room and recreation hall for the hundreds of soldiers and sailors quartered in the town during World War 2. The facility was formally opened on Saturday 10 February 1940 by Major P.V.G. van der Byl, Minister without Portfolio. 500 men, mostly sailors and Merchant seamen, were served each day at the canteen by volunteers; the arrival of a large convoy could increase the numbers to 3500. After the conclusion of hostilities, the building was adopted by the Simon's Town Municipal Council as the Town Hall.The room at the southern end of the building was used by the MOTHS (Members of the Order of Tin Hats) as the "Snoekie Shellhole" from 1952 to 1983 when they relocated to the Residency in Court Road. It was named 'The Warriors Room'. The Warriors Room is currently in use as the 'Simon's Town Warrior Toy Museum and Collectors Shop', a private enterprise.STHS
Old Hospital Terrace Complex
Part of the property originally known as Constantia estate on which in 1786 Arend Munnik built a house on a plan similar to Groot Constantia. Sold in 1799 to Henry Roselt, and again to the Royal Navy in 1813 for conversion into the Naval Hospital. Three semi detached cottages were added to the southern end of the property as accommodation for the hospital staff. The wall enclosing the terraced gardens was erected in 1817.It was in this hospital in October 1872 that the first operations were performed in South Africa using Lord Lister's antiseptic methods, with complete and unexpected success. The buildings continued in use as a hospital until the new Naval Hospital above Cornwall street was completed in 1903.The Hospital section then became the Dockyard Police Club while the three residences were allotted to senior Naval officials. The South African Navy took possession of the property in 1957 and it has been used for accommodation and office purposes ever since.STHS
Albertyn's Stables
The rear section of this building was constructed between May 1845 and May 1848; it was used as a store and smithy. It believed that Bryant added the front (seaward) section in 1848 and from then on it was used mainly as a store house. Casparus Albertytn bought the property in 1919 and ran a cartage and haulage business from it. At one time it housed 75 dray horses. Bought by Simon's Town Municipality in 1930, it served as the False Bay Yacht Club club house. Reverted to a store house and in 1994 used as an electoral station for new SA elections. 1997-1998 used as Simon's Town Post Office until the new building was completed. In 1998 Local art enthusiasts opened the Stables as an art gallery and until recently the rear section was used as a foundry for artists.STHS
Albertyn's Cottage
There is no evidence to substantiate the actual date of this building but it is assumed to be between 1801 & 1810. The owner Alexander Tennant went insolvent in 1806 and it was bought by John Osmond in 1807. During Osmonds ownership the cottage was used mainly as a storehouse. The land eventually passed into the hands and by 1919 Casparus Albertyn was renting the the cottage from a Mr Black. The Simon's Town Municipality bought the property in 1930. The cottage was let to various tenants and then scheduled for demolition, it was saved by the efforts of the Simon's Town Historical Society It has again been let to various tenants by the City of Cape Town Declared National Monument in Aug.,1979STHS
Amlay House
Both erven were part of Lot ‘O’ which was registered to the ST Municipality on 29th December 1848 and sold on 13/08/1858. The separate erven have since always been sold together as the villa occupies one erf and the garden the other. Both passed through the hands of C.P.A. Albertyn and then to John B.J.Knox The Amlay family ‘Villa Marina’ and the garden erf in 1935. The family was issued with a letter from the Group Area’s Development Board in 1967 advising them that the house was to be taken over. The family slowly moved to other areas. It was taken over by Community Development Board in 1975 & converted to SA Navy offices. Patty & Dickie Davidson moved back to Amlay House in September 1995.STHS
Phoenix Building
In 1879 a group of Freemasons in the Naval port of Simon’s Town applied to the Grand Lodge of England for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Simon’s Town. The ‘British’ and ‘Carnavon’ lodges situated in Cape Town sponsored the application and the 'Phoenix Lodge No 1860EC' came into being in 1880.(Note the 1860 on the facade is the Lodge Number)Originally the 15 member strong group held their meetings in a room above Bro. Bob White’s Grocer and Baker shop in the Main Street, but in 1892 the Phoenix Lodge purchased the building known as Salvation Army House from the estate of Alexander Black. This building was previously known as the “Smuggler’s Den” and was later used as the Custom’s House. For the next 77 years the Phoenix Lodge became an important and integral part in the life of Simon’s Town. Charity fund raising by the Masons also afforded Simon’s Town Hospital beneficiary grants from the brethren. The name 'Phoenix' arose from the wreck of a 500-ton British ship, Phoenix, which sank off Seaforth beach on 19 July 1829. In the 1970s this property was expropriated by the Dept of Public Works and the lodge was moved to its present site in Glencairn.STHS
Belmont House
The residence was named to commemorate the Anglo-Boer battle of Belmont, which took place on 23 November 1899, 88 kilometres south of Kimberly in which British forces sustained heavy losses. Designed in London, built by Barrabell & Squire in 1900-01 as a residence for Superintendent Dockyard TC Agutter who was the first Civil Engineer at the base. In 1957 SA Navy took over the building and Capt Dryden-Dymond became the first South African occupant. During the 1980s it was the residence of the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Command West until the post was abolished after which various senior Naval officers resided there. The ceilings were badly damaged by flooding and the property was vacant for long a time. Extensively renovated in 2008. Belmont House still provides accommodation for senior Naval personnel.STHS
Police Station
The site on the Cole Point erf - Ptn. 5 - was originally granted to John Osmond in 1814. Later sold to Charles Kettley and used as "livery stables". On his death in 1854 it was briefly owned by PJ Hugo.The Police Station was built on the site of what was one of the oldest buildings in Simon's Town. When the building was pulled down, dark dungeons were discovered below it. Leg-irons and chains attached to the walls gave evidence of its use as a slave prison in the old days.Building work started in 1938 and it was officially opened on 3 July 1939 by Col. R.J. Palmer Deputy Commissioner of Police. It was stated to be one of the most up-to-date in the then Union and the building won certain architectural awards at the time.STHS
Stempastorie
The house was built as a rectory in 1899 under the direction of the Dutch Reformed Church. The builder, Mr W Napier, built the double storey house of sandstone in Georgian - Victorian Style, but no longer looks exactly as it did in 1899. The congregations of Simon's Town and Kalk Bay amalgamated in 1940 and became known as the Fish Hoek congregation. Simon's Town's minister became the first minister of the united congregation and in 1940 settled in Fish Hoek. Since then the house has never again been used as a rectory. From 1940 the Church leased the house as a boarding house until it was sold to Mr S.J. De Beer in 1957. Mr De Beer and his family lived there but let certain rooms. 1n 1961 Rev, Louw bought the house and lived there until the State bought it from him in 1978.The music for "Die Stem" was composed here in 1919 by the Rev M.L. De Villiers and still forms part of the National Anthem.STHS
Dutch Reformed Church
The Dutch Reformed Church community in Simon’s Town had worshipped from 1836 in the Wesleyan Chapel (for 3 years), then the Episcopalian Church (for 17 years). In 1855 the foundation stone of the present Church building was laid by C in C Commodore HD. Trotter, HM Navy, on ground donated by the government. The Church was consecrated in 1856 and served Lakeside, Kalk Bay, and Fish Hoek until Churches were built in these communities.STHS
Old Simon's Town School
The foundation stone was laid by WM Runciman in August 1896 and 116 pupils took occupation at the beginning of the 1897 school year. In 1898 donations from parents came in for the building of a gym and workshop. A gym was added adjacent but separate. In 1900 a workshop was added and the Headmaster's House was completed in 1907. In 1904 compulsory education was introduced and by this time the school was one of six A1 schools in the peninsula and had 209 pupils but when renamed ST Secondary School in 1950 it had only 190 pupils. In October 1953 the new school in Seaforth was completed and the ST Municipality took occupation of the old school building. In 2001 the building was altered to become the Simon's Town Library.STHS
Roman Catholic Church
The original chapel, built in 1850, was subsequently incorporated into the Francis Xavier Mission School building which is now the Parish Centre. This school was started by Dr John Rooney the resident Parish Priest. In 1885 the foundation stone of the St Simon and St Jude Catholic Church building was laid by Dr Rooney. The church bell, dated 1871, was cast in the Dockyard for Dr Rooney. While the metal was still in its molten state his naval friends threw silver coins in to sweeten the tone. In 1946 a double storeyed extension was built on the south side of the Church.STHS
East Dockyard Gates
The East Dockyard Gates mark the end of the Historical Mile. These gates were erected during the construction of the Yard in the 1909 and are of a similar style to the West Dockyard gates. On the right hand side just inside the entrance are two buildings, one being the muster station and the other the Dockyard Police station. In the early days before time clocks dockyard workers, when entering for their shift would pick up a brass tally with their number on it which was then placed in a rack at their relevant work station and then returned to the gate at the end of the shift. The racks were constantly checked by the Yard's Timekeeper.When the extension to the East Yard was complete the main entrance was moved to the bottom of Cole Point Road.THIS IS THE END OF THE TOUR, WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED ITFor more information on the History of Simon's Town you can visit the Simon's Town Museum in Court Road.