Celebrating Heritage Day in Somerset West: A Journey Through Time on Main Road
Heritage Day in South Africa is a time to reflect on our shared past and celebrate the diverse cultures that have shaped our country. In Somerset West, this day carries extra significance as we honour the town’s unique history while looking toward a future that cherishes the heritage we’ve inherited, but brings with it much needed change and improvements.
Somerset West’s Central Business District (CBD), with its blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy, stands as a testament to the town’s evolution, and it is at the heart of the Village Collective’s mission: to preserve the past while fostering a thriving, inclusive community for generations to come.
Main Road, Somerset West, 1962
The Beating Heart of Somerset West: Main Road Through the Ages
Main Road, once a quiet rural lane, has been the lifeblood of Somerset West for over a century. In the early 1900s, it was more than just a street; it was a critical artery that connected settlers, farmers, and traders to Cape Town and beyond. The Somerset West Old Railway Station, built in 1901, was pivotal in this journey. It facilitated the transport of agricultural products—particularly the grapes and wines that the Helderberg region is famous for—from farms to markets across South Africa and to international destinations via Cape Town’s bustling ports.
In those early days, Main Road was flanked by general stores, post offices, and family-run businesses, all housed in buildings that reflected the dominant architectural styles of the time. Many of these buildings still stand today, showcasing the Cape Dutch and Victorian influences that defined the town’s character. Cape Dutch buildings, with their signature whitewashed facades and ornate gables, harken back to the early settler days, while the Victorian ironwork balconies and decorative facades remind us of the town’s later prosperity and connection to the global architectural trends of the British Empire.
A Changing Landscape: Somerset West in the Modern Era
As the world around Somerset West evolved, so too did the CBD. The introduction of automobiles and improved road networks in the mid-20th century shifted the town’s reliance from the railway station to more modern forms of transportation. While the railway continues to operate as part of Metrorail, serving commuters to and from Cape Town, its role in goods transport has diminished. The town’s identity has likewise grown and shifted, with the CBD now home to a blend of old and new businesses.
But as Somerset West has grown, the town lost some of its charm and, like many towns and cities across the world, it has grappled with urban and social decay, petty crime and businesses moving to new mall developments on the outskirts of town. The good news is that things are shifting and life is being breathed back into the CBD.
Village Collective: Preserving History, Fostering Community
At the heart of Somerset West’s evolving story is the Somerset West Village Collective, a community-driven initiative aimed at rejuvenating the town’s CBD while maintaining its authenticity. Much like the early settlers and traders who built their lives around Main Road, the Village Collective seeks to create a space where people can live, work, and thrive—all while keeping Somerset West’s rich heritage alive.
The vision for the Village Collective is rooted in the principle that growth and heritage can coexist. By partnering with local businesses, the Collective is working hard to bring the heart and feet back to the village. From transforming old general stores into chic cafés and artisanal boutiques to turning heritage homes into creative hubs for artists and entrepreneurs, the Village Collective is ensuring that the town’s soul remains intact even as it welcomes modern development.
The Somerset West Village Garden is a perfect example of this balance. Once an underutilized urban space, the garden now serves as a feeding scheme for the needy, community gathering point, promoting sustainability, local agriculture, and a return to nature—values that echo the town’s agricultural past while pointing toward a greener, more inclusive and caring future. The garden is a space where locals and visitors alike can connect, exchange ideas, and appreciate the simple beauty of the area’s natural surroundings.
Looking Forward: Honouring the Past, Building the Future
As we celebrate Heritage Day, it’s important to acknowledge that Somerset West’s history is still being written. The town’s past—rooted in the land, the railways, and the entrepreneurial spirit of its early inhabitants—provides a foundation for its future. And that future, driven by initiatives like the Village Collective, promises to be one where the past and present can and must coexist harmoniously.
Somerset West is not just a town steeped in history; it’s a community that understands the importance of progress. Change and success cannot be achieved overnight, it is a journey and will take hard work, involvement and commitment by all roleplayers.
Heritage Day is a moment to reflect on this journey: from the Old Railway Station that connected Somerset West to the broader world, to the historic buildings that tell the stories of those who came before us. It’s also a time to look forward—to a future where Somerset West remains a vibrant hub of activity, culture, and community.
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