Brief History of the Republic of Hout Bay
Hout Bay is an absolutely unique town situated only 10 miles from the City of Cape Town. It has evolved from a once traditional fishing village to a now ever growing tourist destination and occupies a spectacular valley bounded by the mountains of the Table Mountain massif, Sentinel, Karbonkelberg and Constantiaberg almost isolated from the outside world.
Thousands of years ago, the Koisan people originally lived in the valley, as it had a ready supply of fresh water, fish, wild game and herbs.
The European influence only began in 1488,when Bartholomew Dias,the legendary Portuguese navigator, recorded stopping off in the bay and called it Porto Fragofo, which uses the Sentinel mountain as the identifying mark.
In 1607, John Chapman, Master`s mate on the English boat, the Consent, was sent on a chauncy venture into the mysterious (wild ) bay en route to the Cape of Good Hope, hence, the bay was recorded on early English maps as “Chapman`s Chaunce”.
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) began the establishment of Table Bay and Cape Town as a refreshment station in 1652,under the control of the VOC`s Governor Jan Van Riebeeck, who upon visiting the valley, called it Houtbaaitjen meaning “little bay of wood”. The wood was harvested and used in the repair of ships and for other building requirements. Over the years, the valley was cleared and the river canalised to create farmland.
Significant dates
1489 : Portugese navigator Bartholomew Dias visits the bay (name recorded as Porto Frigaso) translated : “Bay with hanging mountain”
1607 : English ship named ‘Consent’ arrives in the Bay (name was recorded as Chapman`s Chaunce)
1652 : Arrival of the VOC, Jan van Riebeeck names bay Houtbaaitjen
1677: First free-burghers (French Huguenots) were allotted land of which four settled in Houtbaai
1781 : French regiment the Pondicherry , headed by Irishman, Count de Conway, occupied Constantia Nek as Dutch allies against the English and built west fort.
1795 : First British occupation
1803 : Returned to the Batavian Republic
1806 : Second British occupation.
1820 : British settlers arrive in the Cape
1834 : Abolition of slavery
1871 : Jacob Trautman, a german immigrant, bought land in Hout Bay
1894 : Dorman family arrives in Hout Bay
1909 : Manganese mining commences
1911 : Manganese mining halted
1922 : Chapmans peak opened :was built by convicts and took 7years.
1987 : Citizens declare Hout Bay a Republic and issue passports
2007 : Rep of Hout Bay Consulate opened
2009 : Official Rep of Hout Bay tourism Booking office opens
In the 1930`s, the fishing industry became industrialised and the fishing harbour developed to very much what we see today.
Hout Bay boasts an international community, truly a microcosm of the world.
During the difficult political period in the 80`s, members of local service clubs, Rotary International and Lions Club of Hout Bay and members of the business community,in particular the founder member,Stanley Dorman (Mariner`s Wharf) pronounced the Peoples`Republic of Hout Bay and issued a passport to raise funds for charity.
Today the Hout Bay passport is a most sort after travel document, available only from the Consulate opened 20 years later in Main Road Hout Bay. Hout Bay was officially declared a Republic by its citizens on the 23 May1987.
On 01 September 2007, the Hout Bay Consulate opened its doors situated at Pam Arlene Place on Main Road. The 21st anniversary of the Republic was celebrated in typical Hout Bay style, on 23 May 2008 at Suikerbossie, hosted by Members of the Business Chamber.
The Hout Bay Consulate directs attention on marketing Hout Bay as a value adding experience and as a preferred tourist destination. The Official Booking Office,based at the Consulate, Pam Arlene Place in Main Road, is a one-stop for all accommodation and leisure bookings as well as tours in and around the Republic and other attractions further afield.
For bookings and travel arrangements please call Corinne on 072 408 1528.
