Worcester Information and Accommodation

Worcester History

1709 – The first Europeans settled in the area “over the Breede River” under the system of grazing rights.
 
1714 - land was given to farmers on the basis of quitrent farms, and settlement took place at Waay Hoek, Bossiesveld, Kleinbosch, Slanghoek, Brandvalley, Vendutiekraal, Rooye Wal and Doornrivier.

1731 - The first farms in the Hex River Valley were Kloppersbosch and De Buffelskraal.

1818 – Magistrate Fischer instructed to find a location to establish a new deputy magisterial seat in the Cape Colony by Lord Charles Somerset. Fischer then reported to Lord Somerset that the 2 farms – De Lange Rug and Roodewal – be purchased for this purpose.

1819 – 4 November - first official advertisement for the sale of plots issued.

1819 - Worcester proclaimed a sub-drostdy of Tulbagh. Two farms were bought for the purpose of laying out a town – De Lange Rug and Roodewal.

1820 – 28 February - 89 of the proclaimed 144 plots sold.

1821 - Dutch Reformed Church Congregation already established in Worcester.

1822 - A winterstorm caused severe damage to the town of Tulbagh. Captain Charles Trappes recommended to Somerset that the magisterial seat be moved to the new town - Worcester.

Government Gazette proclamation, November 9, 1822:

"In consequence of the damage done to the Public Buildings at Tulbagh, by the storms of last winter, which has rendered it inexpedient to go to the heavy expense necessary to replace them, his excellency the Governor has directed the Drostdy of the district to be removed to Worcester; and it is considered more convenient that the district bear the name of the seat of Magistracy, his excellency is pleased to direct that the district shall henceforth be called Worcester, in lieu of Tulbagh, as heretofore of which, all concerned are to take notice."

1822  - Worcester proclaimed a full drostdy.

1842 – 5 January - first meeting of the Commisars were held where it was decided to name the street facing the public offices Cole Street, in honour of Sir Lowry Cole, Governor of the colony, 1828 to 1833

1846 - construction on the Bainskloofpass started

1851 – 3 September – a Commisars meeting resolved that the square in front of the public offices (the Drostdy), becomes Queens Square in honour of HM Queen Victoria. These grounds were used as Parade- and Training grounds for the Khoi Pandour Regiment.

1852 - Bainskloofpass road was completed.

1875 - first reservoir and distribution pipes for water delivery built.

1876 – 16 June - railway line to Worcester opened.

1880 – 31 July - Very first edition of the Worcester Weekly News printed.

1882 -  Name of the newspaper changed to the Worcester Advertiser.

1894 - Cecil John Rhodes financed a new newspaper, the Worcester Standard and the two papers ran in opposition for 33 years.

1910 - diversion and storage dam for water delivery constructed in Fairy Glen.

1916 - June 25 - first supply of electricity to Worcester provided by 2 x 40 kw. 400/230 Volt Direct Current water turbine generators.

1921 - Worcester had its own Power Station Building

1927 – The two newspapers amalgemated to form the Worcester Standard and Advertiser. The paper remained in private proprietary until 1980, when it was sold to Naspers.

1934 - completion of the town's sewerage scheme.

1936 - completion of filtration and chlorination plant for water delivery.

1945 - Worcester started planning to build a proper water impounding scheme.

1948 - Construction on the Hex River Power Station started by Eskom.

1952 - Construction of the Stettynskloof Dam started.

1952 - The Power Station came into production. Municipal main sub-station was connected to Eskom, all power supply was then taken from this source.

1955 - work on Stettynskloof Dam completed.

1962 - sewerage purifiction works completed.