South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. All articles researched and written by Anne Lehmkuhl. COPYRIGHT ANNE LEHMKUHL, no article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. EMAIL ME
Helderberg Hotel closes
The historic Helderberg Hotel in Somerset West, which was built in 1908, has been sold to a foreign national, possibly to be turned into offices. The last owner, George Gardiner, sold the nine-bedroomed property for about R1,8-million. Gardiner bought the hotel in 1991 at an auction, which had resulted from the collapse of Masterbond. There's little historical information about the hotel, bar some faded pictures. It is believed that the hotel was the reason for the first bank being established in Somerset West. Standard Bank employees used to travel from Stellenbosch and offer banking services for a day. The bank eventually refused to establish a permanent branch in the town unless there was a place for its employees to stay. The hotel boomed in the days of sales representatives, who became regulars not only at the Helderberg, but also at the many country hotels across the country as they plied their trade. Other hotels that have long gone include the Metropole, Da Gama and Majestic hotels, which were all situated in Strand, and Alexandra Hotel in Somerset West.