Towns and suburbs

Pacaltsdorp

Pacaltsdorp is a long-established suburb of George, known for its early 19th-century mission station, residential character and close links to the main town and surrounding Garden Route areas

pascaltsdorp

Pacaltsdorp lies just south-west of the George town centre in the Garden Route District of the Western Cape. The suburb is situated between the N2 highway and the coastal plain leading toward Thembalethu and the airport area, with easy access to central George, the Garden Route Mall and nearby beaches such as Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay.

History of Pacaltsdorp

Pacaltsdorp was established as a mission station at Hoogekraal in 1812 when the local chief Dikkop asked the London Missionary Society to assist his people. He travelled personally by ox-wagon to Suurbraak to fetch a German missionary, Reverend Carl August Pacalt, from Suurbraak to found this mission station. Pacalt did wonderful work here until he died in 1818, when the area was named Pacaltsdorp in his honour.  Local history reveals this wasn’t a religious conversion, but a clever political chess move: Dikkop wanted a missionary living on his land to serve as a legal barrier against colonial settlers who were aggressively attempting to seize his tribe’s land.

A unique Norman-style church was built. It has metre-thick walls made of rough stone with yellowwood, glass, and clay.  From the tall, square, battlemented Norman-style tower, you can see for miles around.

Before the stone church was constructed, the entire community gathered at The Tree of Meeting. This enormous Cape Ash (Essenhout) tree, which was planted around 1726, still stands today opposite the local post office. It served as the area’s literal town hall and open-air church for over a decade.

Despite all the efforts of Kaptein Dikkop to spread the gospel amongst his followers, he was buried outside the mission’s burial ground about 100 metres from the church because, apparently, he had never converted to Christianity. His grave is a national monument, and it may still be seen near the burial grounds. Rev. Charles Pacalt, Rev John Brown Milne, and Rev. Anderson are buried in this peaceful spot.

Patat Huisie

The “Patat Huisie”  is another interesting building. It was constructed in 1813 by Rev Pacalt as a second mission cottage. It has sod walls and a thatched roof. The floor is made from cow dung. It was declared a national monument in 1976. Generations of residents used the small, cool thatched building to store their seasonal sweet potato harvest.  William Anderson built the first manse, next to Pacalt’s little two-roomed cottage. This is a two-storied building with thick stone walls. Yellowwood was used for all the wooden elements. It was also declared a national monument in 1976.

The license plate prefix for Pacaltsdorp isCAW and the post code is 6529 (Streets) and 6534 (boxes)

Things to see and do in Pacaltsdorp:

  • The stone church was built in the Gothic Revival style
  • The Patat Huisie
  • The grave of Kaptein Dikkop. He was buried outside the mission’s burial grounds
  • Missionaries’ Acre: In the centre of the old cemetery lies “Missionaries’ Acre”. A small enclosed plot containing the graves of the missionaries and their wives.
  • The Tree of Meeting: Rev. Charles Pacalt and local Khoi Khoi worshipped together under this large tree. (Great Cape Ash or Essenhout) It was planted about 300 years ago at the summit of Sandkop in the centre of Chief Dikkop’s Kraal, as it was until 1816.

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape: regulations, permits, and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

WEATHER IN PACALTSDORP TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in pacaltsdorp

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Useful Numbers in Pacaltsdorp

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

  • Emergency Services

  • Police: 044 803 9100
  • Fire: George Brandweer and Nooddienste-044 801 631
  • Ambulance: 10177

  • Medical

  • Closest hospital;George Hospital-ER-044 874 5122
  • Clinic -044 803 9100
  • Pharmacy;044 878 1707

  • Municipal & Utilities

  • Municipality – 0800 123 4567
  • Electricity:044 874 3917

  • Transport & Roads

  • Traffic department:044 878 2400

  • Community & Safety

  • NSRI 087 094 9774
  • SPCA: Garden Route Spca-044 878 1990

  • Local Contacts and Community Resources 

  • Post office;044 878 2520
  • Library:044 803 9340

  • Schools in Pacaltsdorp

  • Pacaltsdorp Primary School-044 878 2019
  • Pacaltsdorp High School-044 878 2500
  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

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