TRAVELBUCKET

TRAVELBUCKET

Tag Archive: What to do in Knysna

THE FOUNDER OF KNYSNA

Knysna is synonymous with the history of woodcutters, silk farmers and gold diggers made famous by Dalene Matthee in her books about Knysna and the forest.  And probably the most colourful character of Knysna is the famous (or maybe not) George Rex who was the founder of this pretty little town loved by many. George Rex was rumoured to have been the illegitimate son of George III (Prince of Wales at the time) and a Quaker girl, Hannah Lightfoot. The legend is that he was sent to the Cape Colony to avoid a Royal embarrassment. Rex, who settled on the farm Melkhoutkraal, also contributed to the economy of Knysna as he was a timber merchant and trader and played a major role in the development of the town and the surrounding area. Whilst the grave is no great sight to behold, it can be found close to the N2 and… Read more >

MILLWOOD GOLDFIELDS

Deep in the heart of the Knysna forest a story of hope to find that elusive gold nugget unfolds when one visits the forgotten town of Millwood    Every time I visit I just wonder what life must have been like in those years … So here is the story. Back in 1886 Millwood was a bustling gold mining town patched together by the dreams, greed and hope for riches that comes with gold digging.  The rumour of gold was enough to draw people from wide and afar.  Yet, after no substantial gold-bearing reefs were found Millwood was reduced to a ghost town amongst the ferns.  Today the only buildings that are left of this once booming time is Moterolli’s coffee shop and the Pitt Street Cottage with its yellowwood floors and ceiling next to it that offers accommodation. The gold rush started when Ruigtevlei farmer, James Hooper, found a small… Read more >

Social Share Buttons and Icons powered by Ultimatelysocial
Facebook
Instagram