Page 145 - Bulletin 19 2015

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The huge Quarterdeck section, much of it owned by Moltenos, Murrays and Andersons,
remained largely undeveloped for many years, until a burst of activity in the 1930s and 40s

saw it sold off and the large houses we know today appeared.

In 1904 the City of Cape Town auctioned off many of the upper plots above Quarterdeck
Road. (Fig. 3.33.) Starting at Boyes Drive – Minnie Evelyn Molteno bought the land where

Petrava stands. Her Anderson nephews bought much of the land below Petrava and above

Upper Quarterdeck Road. William Bisset (a relative by marriage) owned a large lot. Thomas
Anderson had bought Dalebrook in 1877. Beaufort Cottage was transferred to him in 1890 as

was much of the rest of the land here.

The properties remaining to be discussed follow below.

Beaufort Cottage

The Moltenos had a long association with Kalk Bay – probably as early as 1864 as this
excerpt from Caroline Molteno’s Reminiscence of the Old Cape relates. The tiny thatched

cottage she refers to is probably Beaufort Cottage (12 Main Road).

It was at that time that Margaret Blenkins, who was Aunt Betty's special companion and

friend, became engaged to Mr. Christian Watermeyer. Soon after, her health began to cause

anxiety and, in spite of the most anxious care, she became weaker and weaker. At last there
was talk of the wonderful air of a place called Kalk Bay, then only a little known fishing

hamlet and someone went down to investigate. I remember the amusement with which the

place was described and the tiny thatched cottage which was all the accommodation that
could be got. It was under these sad circumstances that we first came into touch with Kalk

Bay for nothing could help the dear invalid and she passed away on the very day that had
been fixed for her marriage and before she had completed her nineteenth year.

In 1869 Caroline was back in Kalk Bay when she wrote:

...Here I am cooly [sic] writing my journal at Melville's Hotel, Kalk Bay...All the upstairs

rooms... are uncommonly low, the roof slopes down almost to the ground and in the highest
part of the room I can easily reach the top...We are so lively just on the road, and being post

office as well as hotel all the mail carts and many others besides stop here every day...