How can residents help uncover the history of Miller’s Point
The City is busy gathering as much information as possible about Miller’s Point – the landscape, heritage, and historic buildings, many of which played a significant role in shaping the site’s identity over many decades. We need more information, in particular about the buildings adjacent to the Black Marlin restaurant.
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The City of Cape Town is appealing to residents, historians and former visitors to help document the history of Miller’s Point by sharing old photographs and stories about the site’s historic buildings.
The call forms part of efforts to shape a long-term vision for the Miller’s Point coastal conservancy along the False Bay coastline, a few kilometres south of Simon’s Town.
Last year, residents participated in an online survey to help inform future plans for the area. City officials are now seeking additional historical information to guide the restoration of several ageing buildings and to ensure that any upgrades respect the site’s heritage.
Miller’s Point is a 300m-wide strip of land that serves as a transition zone between the Table Mountain National Park World Heritage Site and the Table Mountain Marine Protected Area. The area also provides access to the so-called “Great African Seaforest” and contains shell middens that offer insights into indigenous history.
The City’s Coastal Management branch is developing a long-term vision for the site, which includes a tidal pool, campsite, beach and a public launch site for vessels. Plans aim to revitalise the area while conserving its ecological and historical significance.
Officials say ageing infrastructure at the site, including outdated amenities, eroded pathways and limited visitor facilities, will need to be addressed as part of the process.
The City is also considering restoring a number of historic buildings located near the Black Marlin restaurant. Authorities are hoping to learn more about the original appearance and uses of these structures before any restoration work begins.
City Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, said residents’ memories and old photographs could help fill gaps in the historical record.
“We are calling on those who have old photos of the historic buildings at Miller’s Point to please contact us. We want to get an idea of how these buildings can be restored to resemble the original structures as far as possible,” said Andrews.
“We also want to ensure that any improvements we make are respectful of the site’s heritage. Residents, former City employees, historians, and visitors with information are encouraged to contact us and help us put the puzzle together.”
According to the City, the project is currently in the planning phase and will include further analysis, research and investigations.
Residents with information, photographs or other historical material related to Miller’s Point can contact Ancunel Steyn at [email protected].