History of Stellenbosch

Province: Western Cape
Winelands
Coordinates:33°54′S 18°57′E
Area:0.59 km2
Municipality: Stellenbosch

A fertile valley discovered on an interior expedition

On an expedition in 1679 into the interior and towards the “Cape Flats” Simon van der Stel came across a beautiful fertile valley at “Eerste River” (The first new river to be discovered). He was so impressed, that he named the area after himself. as “Van Der Stel’s bush” (Stellenbosch). The area grew quickly. Buildings were constructed using local materials and the rooves were thatched. Stellenbosch became an independent local authority in 1682 and a magisterial district in 1685. Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa

Irrigation project

The Dutch were skilled hydraulic engineers and they built a system of furrows to direct the water from the Eerste Rivier into town by 1690 some Huguenot families settled in Stellenbosch where they planted vines in the fertile ground. It was not long before Stellenbosch became the centre of the local wine industry.
In 1710 a huge fire destroyed most of the town and only two or three houses were left standing. In 1803 a second great fire damaged or destroyed about forty houses. Fortunately, repair and re-erection soon took place.

Schools and universities

Stellenbosch has long been a centre of learning. The first school was built there in 1683. A Dutch reformed seminary was started in 1859 as well as the Rhenish Girls High which is the oldest girl’s school in South Africa was established in 1860. In 1874 Stellenbossche Gymnasium, was established and in 1874 some higher classes became known as Victoria College. In 1918 the University of Stellenbosch was established. The first men’s hostel to be established in Stellenbosch was Wilgenhof, in 1903. In 1905 the first women’s hostel to be established in Stellenbosch was Harmonie. Harmonie and Wilgenhof were part of the Victoria College

Boer war connection

During the Second Boer War Stellenbosch was used as a British military base. It was used as a “remount” camp where officers who had not distinguished themselves were sent. This gave rise to the expression ” Stellenbosched” which is not complimentary.

1899 Louis Péringuey discovered Paleolithic stone tools of the Acheulean type at a site named Bosman’s Crossing near the Adam Tas Bridge at the western entrance to Stellenbosch.

Postcode for Stellenbosch is 7600 The license plate prefix is CL

Vintage pictures from Saartjie Klipkop

Things to do and see in Stellenbosch

Jonkershoek panorama circuit trail
Jonkershoek nature reserve
Cheese festival
Stellenbosch Wine Walk is a leisurely 12 km walk with wine tasting and lunch included 021-886 4310
Pappagaaiberg just west of the town was so named as Simon Van Der Stel made a point of visiting this area on his birthday. A carnival was held where there was target shooting at a parrot-shaped cut-out
Township tour 0728912021 awaa@webmail.co.za
Join Stellenbosch on Foot and explore the “village of the oaks”
Stellenbosch is known for its restored Cape Dutch architecture dating from the 18th and 19th centuries
Streets lined with majestic oaks.
Gardens and parks include the Braak, a square set aside in 1703 as a military parade ground.

Weather in Stellenbosch today

all listings in stellenbosch

Useful Numbers in Stellenbosch

Police: 021 809 5000
Traffic department: 021 808 8800
Fire: 021 808 8888
Municipality: 021 808 8111 emergency 021 8088890
Okkie Jooste cultural centre : 021 866 1510
Water:021 808 8111
Electricity: 021 808 8343
Ambulance: 021 883 3444
Post office; Die Boord; 021 886 7521
Library: 021 808 8385
Closest hospital; Provincial hospital 021 808 6100
Mediclinic: 021 861 2000
Idas Valley clinic 021 887 2721
Pharmacy
SPCA: Animal welfare:021 883 9129
Schools:
Hoerskool Stellenbosch : 021 887 3082
Paul Roos Gymnasium: 021 887 0017
Rhenish Girls High: 021 887 6807
Rhenish primary: 021 883 3152
Bloemhof High : 021 887 3044
AF Louw Primary: 021 886 4791
Cloetesville High School: 021 889 5424
Cloetesvile Primary School: 021 889 5329
Stellenbosch Laerskool : 021 887 6934
Rietenbosch primary :021 889 5518Khayamundi High School : 021 889 5481
Khayamundi primary school : 021 889 5716
Stellenzicht secondary school : 021 880 1009

Museum; 021 887 2937
Tourism 021 883 3584 47 Church Street
Ratepayers association: 086 675 8040

Local Listings