Caledon and the Overberg: placid centre of a geographic microcosm?

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die skerp styging in wolproduksie gedurende die 1850's het grootliks tot 'n kortstondige opbloeifase in die Overbergse dorp Caledon bygedra. In teenstelling met sommige ander Suid-Afrikaanse dorpe wat weens die ontdekking van minerale skouspelagtig gegroei het, is Caledon nie deur volgehoue groei en verstedeliking gekenmerk nie. Hierdie bydrae behandel die vestiging van die eerste Blankes in die Overberg, dorpstigting in 1811 en sosiaal-ekonomiese vooruitgang tot omstreeks 1875. Daar word ook aangetoon waarom Caledon, wat grootliks afgesny was van verbindingsweë tussen kushawens en die mineraalvelde, in genoemde tydperk 'n klein dorp in 'n vooruitstrewende landelike gebied gebly het.

• Summary: Situated in the area known as the Overberg, the town of Caledon owed its brief spun of rapid growth in the 1850s mainly to the wool boom. But unlike the spectacular expansion of some South African towns as a result of the discovery of minerals, Caledon showed no continuous growth and urbanization. This contribution deals with early White settlement of the Overberg, the establishment of the town in 1811 and socio-economic development until about 1875. It also explains why Caledon, which was isolated from the main communication routes between seaports and the mineral fields, during this period remained a small town in a prosperous rural area.