Uitenhage settlement
:Towards the end of the 18th century settlers settled in the Swartkops River valley. Gert and Johanna Scheepers were amongst them and their farm called De Rietvallei was the site of what was to become the town of Uitenhage.
Known as the
Garden Town,
Uitenhage was originally a farming community on the banks
of the Swartkops River. Which as today grown into a
thriving commercial and industrial area without loosing its
picturesque charm. Situated only 30 km from the
coast.
It was founded in 1804 and is named after commissioner
General J.A. Uitenhage de Mist.
By 1875 the transport of produce to and from the town of
Uitenhage and harbour of Port Elizabeth necessitated
that a railway line be constructed between the two towns.
This link later became part of the main railway line to
Cape Town and the branch lines to the Great Karoo. Railway
Workshops for the Eastern Cape were established in
Uitenhage providing another source of growth and revenue
for the town.
In the 1880s the signalman at the Uitenhage station, who
had lost both legs in an accident, trained a baboon called
Jack to pull the signal levers. The baboon did the job for
9 years until his death.
Uitenhage was incorporated as a municipality in 1877 and as well
as the historical building there are many fine modern ones
with up to date facilities including the Cuyler Hospital
Complex. See side Column.
Photo Alex Cummings © Cuyler Manor
Uitenhage is an ideal place to live and work this is proven by some of
the long term involvement by internationally known
companies such as Volkswagen and Good Year.
It is justifiably proud of it's schools such as College
Hill, Muir, Daniel Pienaar etc.
The Springs Resorts and the Groendal Nature reserve are
situated just out side the town.
Historical Buildings etc
- Cuyler Manor (1814)
- The Old Drostdy (1809)
- The Old Station Museum (1875)
- The Town Hall (1822)
- Heugh "Slave House" (1834)
- The Old Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk(1843)
- The Victoria Tower (1898)
- The Scheepers House (1815)
Photo's © web page design The Old Railway station is now a Museum
The old and the new This is the entrance to the ultra
modern Cuyler Hospital several old historical buildings
have been renovated and are used as specialist consulting
rooms.
This Site can be viewed at an alternative Location
