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History: The Mill House was originally built in 1840’s by Jacob Letterstedt for use by the engineer foreman of the adjoining Josephine watermill. In 1862 Letterstedt died and the house was passed to J. Letterstedt and Company, but the engineer continued to live there. Gradually the company began to run at a loss, although the last miller, at the Josephine Mill, John Henry Wood, who milled at Newlands from the late 1880’s to about 1886 did improve profits somewhat. In 1898 the mill property was acquired by Anders Ohlsson, the brewery magnate, whose wealth is legendary. His participation in social and political affairs was also greater that that of Letterstedt. The Mill House is a fine double-storeyed dwelling in the Georgian style with a centrally placed main doorway and two sliding sashes on either side. The upper storey has two fake windows to provide symmetry. Inside, the house has much fine woodwork. A fine Victorian staircase leads to the upper floor. The interior rooms are adorned with several fine English fireplaces.
The Mill House, together with its garden, forms and integral part of the Josephine Mill complex. It also provides a triangular buffer zone between the Main Road Rondebosch, and the Newlands rugby pavilion. The Mill House also forms an important element of South Africa’s industrial past.
Proclaimed as a national monument in July 1982
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Construction Date: 1840s
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