Page 93 - Bulletin 14 2010

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The shapes and materials used varied considerably: initially wood was used for mileposts; this
gave way to stone for milestones – stone was readily available, relatively cheap and more durable

than wood; with the onset of industrialization cast metal became a cheaper option, sometimes in
the form of metal mileposts or metal markers / plates affixed to wooden mileposts or walls. Most

shapes tended to be square or cylindrical, but a flat tombstone form in stone was also used. In the

beginning faces were square to the road but as travel became faster the faces were angled to
improve visibility. For the same reasons Roman numerals gave way to Arabic. (Fig. 3.2.)

Milestones at the Cape

Documentary evidence has yet to be found stating exactly who was responsible for erecting the

milestones along Main Road, when this was done, and from which quarry the stone was drawn.

Some theories are examined below in chronological order. Two of these are easily refuted,
bearing in mind that the stones are engraved in English, the building of the Main Road from Diep

River to Lakeside was commenced in 1814, and documentary evidence shows they were in place

or being set up in February 1815.

The DEIC: 1652 – 1795

During the first 143 years of settlement at the Cape, roads were extended from Table Bay into the
hinterland on the basis of need. The primary need was to supply the refreshment station with

water, food and materials for the passing Dutch fleets that called three times a year, and to care

for the health of crewmen. For this purpose buiteposte, or resource collection points, were
established on the Peninsula and elsewhere and connected by roads that were used by people on

foot, horse and ox-wagon.

On the Peninsula the buiteposte on the future Main Road to Simon’s Bay were Rustenburg (fruit
and vegetables), De Schuer (later Groote Schuur) (transport), Muijsenberg (transport and

military), Vishoek (fish) and Simons Baaij (ship services). In 1792 a road extended only as far as