Page 120 - Bulletin 13 2009

117

and built most of the houses in what came to be called Ladan Road, for his own account,
and several other houses in Kalk Bay as well. The Croft, one of many houses he built in

Ladan Road, is believed to have been the Ladan family home while Schoonzicht was being
built. (Fig. 3.6). This house and its history give a very good idea of what happened to Kalk

Bay property prices over an extended period.

In 1920 Louis sold it to the widow Rose Ann Russell for £2000. When she sold it fourteen

years later in 1934 all she could get was £1250. Thirty-six years after Rose Russell bought
it the house was sold on auction to Mrs. Goles in 1956 for £1600 - still 20% below its

original price. It has remained in the Goles family ever since.

A 1920 Council plan (Fig. 3.7) shows that Louis Ladan owned 4 properties in this part of

Kalk Bay. As can be seen, Harbour Road ended at his property – so there was no real road
access to the new properties. When Mrs. Russell complained to Council that she could not

find a tenant, because Ladan stored building material opposite her house, he simply fenced

off his plot denying everyone access and a stalemate ensued.

After more complaints from widow Russell and others about the state of the road and
access problems Council sent out an envoy to negotiate with Louis. He took his time and

drove a hard bargain. Council wanted to buy the strip allowing access through to Essex
Road (as Ladan Road was then called). They also wanted to buy a narrow strip in front of

Schoonzicht to build a proper pavement. In the end after much to-ing and fro-ing an offer

was made and accepted: Council paid £350, gave him a piece of vacant land above
Schoonzicht, and offered to rename Essex Road to Ladan Road. This offer was accepted.

By 1932 the effects of the Great Depression were being felt far and wide. Louis was

insolvent – times were very tough indeed, forcing him to put out a notice to say that
although he had had to lay off 26 staff he was still in business. (Fig. 3.8). His business

accounts show that apart from Schoonzicht he owned the properties Bedford, Libertas,