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History: In Berg Street, almost in the heart of Wellington, stands an old Cape-Dutch T-shaped house, round which the town, as it were, originated. In the course of time it has lost much of its glory. The thatched roof has been replaced by one of galvanised iron and the front and back gable did not remain intact in the process. In the second half of the nineteenth century also the old windows were replaced by sash windows. Yet the old house has retained much of its former dignity and atmosphere. Up in the ridge of the front gable the date 1811 can still be seen, while the original frame of the front door and most of the ceilings have been retained. However, the importance of this old house does not he so much in its architectural beauty, but in its history. The erf on which the house is situated origin ally formed part of the farm Champagne on the Spuit River, which was granted to the French Huguenot, Hercule Verdeaux, as far back as 1699. It was about 25 hectares in extent. In 1713 it was transferred to another Huguenot, Etienne Crognier (Cronje), and after a few more changes of ownership, it came into the possession of Daniel Retief, an uncle of the well-known Piet Retief, in 1768. In 1801 the farm was divided into two and that part on which Twist Niet now stands, became the property of Hermanus le Roux. He most probably built the house on the old wagon road which came down from Blouvlei and ran past there. Not until 30 years later did the town of Wellington originate round this old homestead and on this part of the farm Champagne.
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