Named after the birthplace of Rev. Andrew Murray in Scotland, Aberdeen was originally a farm called “Brakkefontein”, owned by Jan & Betsy Vorster.
Jan Voster lived and farmed from what is now “The Homestead” (corner of Church & Cathcart Street), he sold the farm to the NGK for development as a town
Aberdeen Timeline
1817 – Farm ‘Brakkefontein’ founded
1855 – Dutch Reformed Church (NGK) buys farm with a view to building a church and school
1856 – Plots (erfs) subdivided for sale at auction. Auction takes place in late 1856
1863 – Mnr Vorster dies & is buried in Aberdeen Cemetery
1890 – New post office & magistrates court built
1899 to 1902 – Anglo-Boer War: Aberdeen became a British garrison town in 1901. During the raid, snipers were located on the roofs of the houses to ambush Van Heerden & his commando as they moved through town to steal the horses
1907 – Steeple added to NGK. Many houses in Aberdeen were upgraded due to war reparations paid by the British, also increase in businesses in Aberdeen. Verandahs (covered stoeps) added to many houses at this time
1990s – Aberdeen declined from its heyday in the 1960s, many houses fell into disrepair and were stripped of valuable wooden floors, doors, shutters & ceilings
Mid 2000s – Aberdeen experiences resurgence in interest due to property price boom in South Africa. Many houses change hands and new owners carry out much needed restoration & rebuilding
