The Area >
Fish Hoek & Clovelly
History of the Town
Whilst the Fish Hoek Valley has been inhabited for many thousands
of years with the first plots being sold in 1920 this signalled
the start of the Town, as we know it today.
Is it Visch Hoek, Vishoek or Fish Hoek?
It is not possible to determine when exactly Fish Hoek was named
as many names all derivatives of the current name appear on various
maps and documents. The original farm was called Visch Hoek.
The name Vischoek was originally used to refer to the outcrop
of rocks and high ground between Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek.
The combination of an English word “Fish” and a
Dutch name “Hoek” meaning corner is rather unique.
Peers Cave & the Fish Hoek Man
We can say with certainty that the valley was inhabited thousands
of years ago following the discovery in 1927 of the remains of
six people in Cave. Sir Arthur Keith wrote in 1940 “the
excavation of Peers cave revealed for the first time in South
Africa a human skeleton embedded in an intact and datable Stone
Age stratum.” “It is the largest brained type of
humanity so far discovered” The skull of what became known
as Fish Hoek Man was the dated at 12 000 years old.
Why is Fish Hoek “Dry”
One of the conditions included in the original grant of land
at Fish Hoek made in 1818 by Andries Bruijns effectively meant
that there was a complete ban on Liquor sales. The reason for
this ban is not known with any certainty; speculation is that
it was instituted to stop the wagon drivers from drinking in
the middle of their journey between Kalk Bay and Simons Town.
This ban has been upheld with the only concession being made
in 1994 to allow for the sale of alcohol in restaurants. The
battle seems to go on with new applications being made annually
for an “off sales” or bottle store but none have
been successful.
Jager’s Walk
The walkway was built in 1932 between the beach and Sunny Cove
as access to the rocks that were (and still are) favourite sunbathing
spots. The railway line was used for access and this raised safety
considerations. It is officially known as Jager’s Walk
(named after chairman of Fish Hoek management board at the time)
but is referred to by locals as the CAT Walk. Where this name
originated from is unknown.
The above-mentioned information was taken from the Book. Fish
Hoek looking back by Joy Cobern published in 2003. Copies of
the book can be purchased at the Fish Hoek Museum or read at
A Tuscan Villa Guest House.
The Avenue Hotel
Some 30 years ago Fish Hoek had 7 hotels. The main visitors
were from the then Rhodesia, since the changes in Southern Africa
started in the 70’s the number of visitors declined and
Fish Hoek was left with only one true hotel in 2007.
The increase in tourism following the democratisation of South
Africa the country has seen resurgence in the tourism industry
with the result hat the Town is once again gearing up for visitors.
A new boutique hotel is due to be opened in 2008 on the premises
of the Salvation Army’s old residential hotel called Calder’s
Kings. The needs of guests have changed with result a new form
of establishment known as a “Guest House” has become
extremely popular. They provide accommodation mainly on a B&B
basis with guests having the full use of the facilities. They
not traditional B&B’s where one had restricted access
and you shared a home with the owners family. A Guesthouse provides
you with the exclusive use of the property. As in the case of
A Tuscan Villa the owner lives on the premises but has a separate
apartment.
This ensures that guests retain their privacy and can interact
with their hosts to the extent that they wish.
A Tuscan Villa is situated less than 200 meters from the Avenue
Hotel. |
