History Demolished?
A little bit of history will soon be lost when the buildings on erf 2209 in York Street will be demolished to make place for a modern development.
The building at 52 York Street up until last month housed the Trading Post, a little store trading in old and restored furniture for the past 10 years. This store, a pub, a house and an outbuilding also on the property will be demolished to make space for a modern business and housing complex. None of the buildings have any special architectural features worth preserving, however, the history of the land on which these buildings stand is more significant.
Owners of the Trading Post store, Dionne and Aletta van Rensburg tell me that this property was once owned by Mr Dan John van Hoog, a well-off coloured man who purchased it in 1940. He had a dairy on the property for many years. The property stretched across to Meade Street, which offered sufficient grazing for his cows.
During the eviction days, when all coloured people in George where removed to live in Pacaltsdorp, Mr Van Hoog and his family remained on the property. With the help of his friend, a Mr Heunis, he was able to acquire a ‘white’ identification document, which excluded him and his immediate family from eviction.
After his death, his only daughter inherited the land. It was transferred to her name in 1968. She vowed never to sell the land and kept her promise to her father until her death last year. Her husband recently sold it to a developer.
The developer has agreed to preserve its history by erecting a plaque on the new building, which will document the history of the property.
by KARIN KRUGER
