Buildings and architecture provide the visual appeal but it’s the people of a town that confer the soul and leave a legacy.
Knysna has a colourful tapestry of history peppered with tales, fables, tragedy and humour alike.
You will hang by the neck until dead
There was no deliberating in this instance. In May 1860 the gallows, for Knysna’s first (and only) public hanging, arrived by ship. Before the month ended, the victim – or culprit – one Jacob was executed in front of a crop of foliage known as O’Reilly’s Bush, ‘between the hours of 8 and 10 in the forenoon.’
Birthing and Baking – all in a day’s work
After hearing this story from a local resident, I’m convinced the modern woman is all the more appreciative of birth plans, epidurals and soft music.
In the early 1800s, the Fauconnier family lived not far from the current Knysna Mall. During her morning bread baking routine, Mrs Fauconnier went into labour. Putting the loaf in to bake she went to the bedroom and gave birth; returning to the kitchen to remove the bread from the oven before it had time to burn. ’Ai, they made them differently in those days,’ remarked the resident.
To read the full article please see my post on Getaway’s blog site
