Carnarvon: 'n Oorsig van die geskiedenis van die dorp en distrik

Abstract

Before the arrival of the Whites towards the middle of the eighteenth century, the present-day Carnarvon district was the dwelling-place of the Bushmen. At the beginning of the nineteenth, the settlement of increasing numbers of Whites and Basters, and the Xhosa under Jan Kaffer forced the Bushmen northwards. With the passing of time a civilised community developed at Carnarvon. Rhenish missionaries were the first to preach the Word of God in this area and later churches of other denominations were established. Proper local administration was introduced, communication with the outside world improved and by the turn of the century the district could boast of social and cultural activities. Although agriculture dominates the local economy, secondary industries and commerce have made an important contribution towards rendering the area self-supporting.