HB0083

Did You Know?

The Houtschuur in Plettenberg Bay is a historical building dating to 1788, originally constructed as a timber storage shed (houtschuur in Dutch/Afrikaans) by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). It was used to store cut timber from the surrounding indigenous forests, which was destined for export to the Cape Colony and beyond. The building is one of the oldest surviving structures in the area and reflects the early colonial timber industry that drove settlement in the Plettenberg Bay region during the late 18th century. The site is located near the town centre, close to the original landing point on the lagoon or beach, where timber was loaded onto ships. Today, the Houtschuur is recognised as a provincial heritage site, though its exact current use or state of preservation may vary; it stands as a tangible link to the VOC era and the maritime trade of the Cape's southern coast.

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