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STANFORD

History
In 1729, a farmer from Caledon, Juriaan Appel, first saw the land at the foot of the Akkedis Mountains at the south-east end of a wide, fertile plain that culminated in the sea.  He received a government permit to graze his cattle and sheep on the land.

Over the years the grazing permit changed hands numerous times until the government granted the farm to Christoffel Brand in 1801. He built the first farmhouse (situated at what is now 14 Church Street).

In 1798 Mr Andrew and Lady Anne Barnard visited Brand's home on their inland tour.

The most notable owner of the "Kleine Rivier Valey" farm was Robert Stanford. He bought the land in 1838, when he retired from the British Army on half pay. He supplied the Cape with fresh meat, fruit and vegetables.

In 1849 he became the victim of anti-convict agitation protesting against the British Government's decision to settle convicts in the Cape. He was in full agreement with the protest, but because he was still in the employ of the British Army he was left no choice but to provide the convict ship, Neptune, the army and the government with supplies.

Due to this, colonists and banks refused to have dealings with Robert Stanford, his labourers were chased off the farm, his family pelted in the streets, his children expelled from school and his dying child refused medical help.

The farm was sold by public auction to Philippus de Bruyn who subdivided the farm into erven for a new town in 1857. Legend has it that Sir Robert paid De Bruyn £50 to have the town named Stanford.

Development of Stanford
In 1952 the population numbered 820 (180 families), whereas in 1995 there were 1800 people resident in Stanford, not including owners of holiday homes. Presently there are approximately 3000/4000 residents.

The original entrance to the village was at the lower end of Bezuidenhout Street.  In fact the road from Hermanus to Gansbaai was through the main roads of Stanford, namely via Bezuidenhout, Queen Victoria and out through Church Street.  This is still evident by the shop type buildings along this route.

The new tarred road that bypassed Stanford was completed in 1961, which was when the new entrance was made in Queen Victoria Street.

Stanford's water supply was from irrigation channels (leiwater) initially and residents only received treated water in the taps of their homes from 1945. The older parts of Stanford still have the irrigation channels which provide "leiwater" for garden use.

When electricity was received in July 1961, there was great rejoicing on the Market Square. Initially there were a lot of problems as the electrical supply was insufficient and eventually a roster had to be drawn up for using stoves so that the electrical supply would not be overloaded.

HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE

Anglican Church (cnr Longmarket/Morton Sts)
These buildings reverted from a mission school to an Anglican Church in 1872 and was granted permission to perform weddings from 1892. The hall beside the church was meant to be the minister's residence, but was used for Sunday School and for very strict education classes for Anglican children.

Dutch Reformed Church (cnr Queen Vic./Church Sts)
The church building was completed in 1926 at a cost of £12000, which included the building, organ, clock and pews. The old church building became the church hall and was later demolished and replaced in the 1960's by the present hall. The church, tower, clock and organ were recently restored at a cost of over R200 000.

Full Gospel Church (cnr Queen Vic./Bezuidenhout Sts)
This church building was erected in 1940 by the brothers Philip and Daan du Toit. It has always served more than one church denomination.

Market Square (between Short-/Longmarket Sts)
Ox-wagons were outspanned here during Communion Services (Nagmal) in the early days. It is one of the few remaining market squares left undeveloped in South Africa. It is still used as a common for community and sports events. The Stanford festival is held here annually.

First School and post office (13 Morton St)
Circa 1870. Mr James Goetz was the first teacher and postmaster. He ran the school and post office from his home. The children had to pay one penny (an "oulap") a day to attend. The school became known as the "Oulap School".

Bachelor's Hope (19 Morton St)
The house was first built as a town house ("tuishuis") by Pieter Erwee around 1902. In the 1930's it was known as Bachelor's Hope because the lady teachers lived there and many a local bachelor found his wife there.

First Police Station (20 Church St)
This was the original police station, courtroom and home of the police chief. The prison cells are still at the back of the building. It is now a private home.

Okkie Smuts School (17 Church St)
The three front rooms were built in 1910 The headmaster, Mr Hofstede, lived in one of the rooms. The wings were built in the 1920's and the other buildings added at a later stage.

First Farm House on farm (12 Church St)
It was built by Christoffel Brandt circa 1785. The Parlby's, Stanford's and the Moore's also lived there while each owned the farm. After going through many owners it was converted into a shop and was named Ons Winkel, during that time the valuable timber from the ceilings was removed.

Stanford House (20 Queen Victoria St)
Formerly known as "Die Langhuis". It is thought that originally it was one of the farm sheds on the original farm, but was converted into a house around 1903. Today it is a prestigious hotel with a beautifully equipped conference centre.

Old Graveyard (Cnr Queen Victoria/Moore Sts.) The site for this graveyard was chosen by the earliest owners of the Klein River Valley farm. Legend has it that one of the owners, probably Parlby, wanted to see his beloved's grave from the farm house's balcony. Hester Parlby's was one of the earliest graves and Phillipus De Bruyn, the village of Stanford's founder, was also laid to rest here.

Ghost House (Wortelgat)
Circa 1890. Transport riders passing the farm reported seeing a little old lady, reported to be Agnes Stroud, sitting under the Milkwood trees at the house, when they approached, no one was there. The house is now derelict and not open to the public. There is a lovely story attached to this old house.



 

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