Pacaltsdorp: A Historic Village Near George

Pacaltsdorp is located just outside George, on the seaward side of the N2 highway. It has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s.

The area was home to the Khoi Khoi people, led by Chief Dikkop. They were hunter-gatherers, wore sheepskin cloaks, and worshipped the moon. In 1813, Reverend Charles Pacalt and other missionaries arrived, invited by Chief Dikkop, to live and work with the Khoi.

The mission station, originally called Hoogekraal, was later named Pacaltsdorp in honor of Rev Pacalt, who died in 1818. He built a congregation of about 300 people and introduced farming, gardens, and livestock to the community.

One of the most famous landmarks is the Tree of Meeting, a 300-year-old tree where Rev Pacalt held gatherings. Other historic buildings include:

The Stone Church – a Norman-style church opened in 1825.
Die Patat Huisie – the second mission cottage, now a national monument.
William Anderson’s House – a two-story stone building, also a national monument.
Rev William Anderson joined the mission in 1822, helping the village thrive for over a century. Other landmarks include the Board House, Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre, and Missionaries’ Acre where the last missionaries were buried.

Pacaltsdorp is not only a historic village but also a living reminder of the Khoi people, early missionaries, and the development of this beautiful region.