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9/2/092/0043

Group

SiteHeader

SiteID: 

27438

FullSiteName: 

Old High School for Boys, 147 Voortrek Street, Swellendam

SiteCategory: 

PropertyIsSite: 

No

ReferenceList: 

Relationships: 

Author: 

Anonymous
Post date: 07/08/2012
Site Comments:

Archive Import
History: The land on which this H-shaped house is situated was granted to Jacobus Wessel van Dijk in 1818. He was one of the well-known wainwrights of Swellendam and built the house round 1825.
In 1839 Van Dijk sold the property and several Wainwrights owned the place consecutively. After 1870 it was used as a boys’ school and it is on record that the late Prime Minister of South Africa, Dr. D. F. Malan, also taught there. Early in the twentieth century it became a residence again, but because of the high maintenance cost it fell into disrepair. Finally Historical Homes of South Africa Ltd. purchased and restored the building in 1966. Then it was let to the Olyfkrans College, which is using it at present as a school and a hostel for boys who are in need of special training and care.
Visual Description: Situated against the slope, it commanded a view of the entire valley and the beautiful frontal aspect must have been impressive. In fact, it still is. A double flight of steps leads to the huge front-door with its fanlike fanlight above which there was a crescent-shaped attic window in bygone days. The half window and the two full window sections with their sliding sashes and small panes on either side of the front-door not only give symmetry but also charm to the façade. Van Dijk made good use of the slope and allowed for a cellar to be built underneath the front part of the house. This cellar was his workshop where he made his wagons.
In the course of time a hindleg of the H, where the kitchen was, and also the gable disappeared completely. The remaining end gables are unique and comprise a series of convex curves which terminate in small pointed and scrolled ornamentation to the top of the pilasters on both sides of the gable walls.
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Condition:
Construction Date: 1825
Materials:
Catalogue: , No: , Significance Category:

 
 

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