History & Culture
Aberdeen is rich with history which is a joy to re-discover.
Here is a brief overview of Aberdeen's colourful past. The history webpage will expanded over time to cover the history of the town more comprehensively.
The Early Days
Aberdeen's early history dates from 1675 when Simon van der Stel received overtures from the Inqua Hottentot tribe (Khoisan) asking him to engage in barter, as they had cattle and sheep.
Heykon, their chief, persuaded the Cape government to send Ensign Shriver to buy cattle from this new source. The meeting of the two cultures subsequently took place about 30km north
west of the present town of Aberdeen in January 1689. |
|
 |
|
 |
| Simon van der Stel and the Khoisan of the Eastern Cape |
 |
|
 |
|
In 1770, Captain Robert Jacob Gordon, employed by the Dutch East India Company, following the Kraai River, passed through Aberdeen. The maps drawn by Gordon may still be seen in
the Rijksmuseum in Holland. In 1777, perched on "Gordon's Kop" (32°26'18,1"S 24°07'36,5"E), Gordon and a draughtsman drew a panoramic view of the
Camdeboo mountains measuring all of 18ft. in length. This little hill (kop) is on the national road, 7,5km from Aberdeen, and 47,5km from Graaff-Reinet. Gordon also travelled with
William Paterson, the English botanist. |
| Gordon's Kop |
Other important early travellers in the area were, Francois le Vaillant, a French naturalist (1783), and John Barrow on a government mission (1793).
Aberdeen was established on the farm "Brakfontein" which belonged to a certain Mr Jan Vorster. He sold it to the church in 1855 and the village was named for the place of birth
(Aberdeen, Scotland) of Dr Andrew Murray, who was the stand in minister for the area.
Many title deeds date back to 1857, when the Dutch Reformed Church (N.G. Kerk) council began to sell land surrounding the church precinct. Thus was established Aberdeen, with the church it's focal point.
Aberdeen's delight is its seemingly unending source of water which comes from a spring ("Die Oog") in the Fonteinbos just outside the town. This fountain has never
run dry and is the source of the leading water (leiwater) supplied to the lower portion of the town.
Buildings Of Interest
The Magistrates Court and Post Office are contained in one building constructed from sandstone in the Art Nouveau style. It is a most attractive public building for small town, and it is
said that the plans were originally destined for a larger town and the building was erected in error in Aberdeen. It is built with Scottish Baronial/Japanese elements and with a terracotta
roof which boasts two heraldic dragons or griffins. It was built in 1898 and also has elements of the Flemish Revival Style. It was declared a national monument in 1991.
 |
 |
 |
| Magistrate's Court |
Post Office |
Heraldic Griffon |
Aberdeen also has at least six homes which could be national monuments. Carmen Villa, Pagel House (named after the owner of Pagel's Circus), Villeria, Greenfield House, De Denne,
and even the school, are unspoilt Victorian delights. Some of these grand old houses are now guest houses or privately owned.
During the period 1900 - 1930, Aberdeen went through a boom period. The grand old homes were termed "Ostrich Palaces" and even today the interiors remain largely unchanged.
Aberdeen's cemeteries are of great interest. Many of the old graves with memorial statues are still to be seen. The town once had a large Jewish community, and many early residents are buried in the
Jewish cemetery. See the webpage under 'Attractions'.
The Anglo-Boer War
In the graveyard are the four graves of Boer heroes - Carel van Heerden, John Baxter, John Landt and an 11 year-old boy who was shot while fighting. On 19 May 1902, Commandant
Carel van Heerden was shot near the Dutch Reformed Church while he was stealing horses belonging to the British. His men managed to flee with 54 horses. Another local hero was
Johannes Smith who, as a youth, signed up to fight. Aberdeen had 139 rebels who joined the Boers in the South African War.
 |
| The Spot Where Commandant Carel van Heerden Was Shot |
John Baxter, aged 22 years, was shot for wearing khaki. Out of necessity, the Boers wore clothing taken from the British. Baxter asked a shepherd for directions to his camp and, as he
wore khaki, the shepherd thought he was British, thus diverting him to the British camp. Baxter, in confusion, walked in amongst the 17th Lancers!
Lawrence Edward Oates
Lawrence Edward Oates is an international hero of whom Aberdeen boasts. While leading a British patrol, they were fired on by the Boers, which left Oates with a shattered left femur.
He was nursed by the Harvey family of 16 Brand Street where he celebrated his 21st birthday. The wound caused him a lifelong limp.
 |
|
 |
| 16 Brand Street - Then... |
...and Now |
Oates' main claim to fame is, of course, the fact that he accompanied Captain Scott on the British Polar Expedition to the South Pole in 1910. He was in charge of 19 Siberian ponies,
the care of which consumed his health. After the horses were destroyed, Oates and the men hauled the own equipment. His old war wound became gangrenous and was unable to pull
his sledge. Bearing unendurable pain, he deliberately walked out into a blizzard and was never seen again. His last words were "I am just going outside, and may be some time".
It was on the day of his 32nd birthday that he made the supreme sacrifice.
 |
| Captain Lawrence Edward Oates |
Aberdeen's Zoo
| At one time, the Aberdeen Zoo was South Africa's largest privately owned zoo. The zoo, owned by Frank Wilke Junior, certainly put Aberdeen on the map. He exported wild animals,
including lions to overseas countries. He purchased the well known lions "Tikkie" and "Tokkie" from Boswell's Circus. Although he had no training as a lion
tamer, he was soon able to enter their cage.
In November 1950, Wilke enlarged the zoo by acquiring the animals from Pagels Circus. The zoo became known throughout South Africa and drew thousands of visitors annually.
"Claremont House", the residence of Wilke, was renamed "Pagel House" in honour of Wilke's hero, Friedrich Wilhelm Pagel, the owner of Pagels Circus.
The name change was confirmed by placing the plaques of Pagel House in Pretoria on the pillars of Claremont House in Aberdeen.
Bridal couples had their photographs taken in the lions cage, separated from the lions by plate glass, which in photo's created the illusion of extreme danger.
Pagel House is now a top class guest house renovated and refurbished in authentic Victorian style. |
|
 |
| Frank Wilke Jnr. |
| >> This Section Is Still Under Development & Will Be Expanded Over Time << |
|
