Title: The Historical Overberg
Subtitle: Traces of the Past in South Africa's Southernmost Region
Author: Chris Schoeman
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa 2017
ISBN 9781776090723 / ISBN 978-1-77-609072-3
Hardcover, dustjacket, 18 x 24, 222 pages, numerous b/w and colour images
Overberg, situated between the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the Breede River, is an important agricultural region and a popular holiday destination with mountainous landscapes, abundant plant species and long sandy beaches. But Overberg also has a rich history going back thousands of years, when the indigenous Khoi people originally thrived there, before the first European settlers arrived to leave their own indelible imprint on the culture, architecture and character of the region. The Historical Overberg: Traces of the Past in South Africa's Southernmost Region provides a detailed account of this past by pointing out the many places, buildings, events and personalities that have made the Overberg the diverse and unique place that it is today. The Overberg has been a home or point of interest for explorers, innovators, artists and writers, for figures as varied as Bartholomew Diaz, Olof Bergh, Hendrik Verwoerd, Gregoire Boonzaier, Audrey Blignault and Breyten Breytenbach. Some of South Africa’s oldest towns, houses and missionary stations can be found here, and its treacherous coastline has been the cause of hundreds of shipwrecks for centuries. Enlivened by historical and current photographs and informative side panels, this book is a great read.
Introduction
PART 1: ALONG THE N2
Sir Lowry's Pass
Grabouw and Elgin
Houw Hoek
Bot River
Boontjieskraal
Caledon
Riviersonderend
Storms vlei
Swellendam
Suurbraak
PART 2: THE INTERIOR
Villiersdorp
Genadendal
Grey ton
Tesselaarsdal
Baardskeerdersbos
Elim
Napier
Bredasdorp
PART 3: THE COASTAL REGION
Rooi Els and Pringle Bay
Betty's Bay,
Kleinmond
Hawston
Onrus
Vermont
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Hermanus
Stanford
De Kelders
Gansbaai
Franskraal
Danger Point
Dyer Island
Pearly Beach
Quoin Point
Cape Agulhas
Struisbaai
Arniston
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Infanta
Port Beaufort and Malgas
Witsand
Notes
Bibliography
Picture sources
Index