15/10/2026
The Battle for the Beach
Few people realise the role played by Fish Hoek ratepayers in the 1920s to ensure that Fish Hoek land below the railway line remained part of the beach, for the use of all beachgoers.
The 6 year long battle, started in 1922 by residents, is described by author, Eric Rosenthal, in his book 'A History of Fish Hoek' published in 1968.
This resulted in the grant to the Fish Hoek Village Management Board of:
(a) the land, in extent about seven morgen, to be expunged from the amended title issued in favour of the Estate of the late Mrs Hester Sophia de Villiers on January 16, 1918, and
(b) the land lying between the straight line adopted as portion of the Eastern boundary in the amended title deed dated January 16, 1918
These two grants to be subject to the condition that the land shall only be used for public purposes and shall not be capable of being sold, and to such further conditions as the Government may approve.
To pay for this, a loan of 3000 pounds was taken by the Fish Hoek Village Management Board. It took 30 years to pay off, 1928 - 1958.
The original plan of 1918 is displayed at the museum, and Eric Rosenthal's book is also available for reading.
