From a peaceful village to a thriving resort

The twentieth century heralded a new era in the history of Onrust, bringing business entrepreneurs and property developers to the area. In 1903 the farm Wagenboomskloof was purchased by the Onrust Seaside Township and Estate Company Ltd. The directors were: W.H. Dempers, Joel Krige, Dr. Antonie Gysbert Viljoen, Charles de Villiers, Alexander Chiappini and Walter McFarlane. If you walk or drive through the streets of Onrus today you will recognise their names on the street signs, a fitting tribute to these early entrepreneurs.

A great effort was made by the Onrust Seaside Township and Estate Company Ltd. under the chairmanship of Joel Krige to promote the sale of properties in Onrust as a developing seaside resort. The anticipated development did not take place and the syndicate's liabilities led to its demise in 1912. Another syndicate was formed 1923 and an all-out advertising campaign was launched to promote sales. The second attempt also failed and the syndicate was wound up in 1928.

After the death of Joel Krige in 1933, the South Western Land and Finance Corporation of Caledon bought the farm in its entirety. The area was divided into three sections, namely Vermont, Onrust River and Sandbaai. The Onrust Local Area Board was formed on 20 November 1936 and at last the village began to develop. Inspired by board chairman Pieter Hendrik de Kock, the ratepayers took the initiative of purchasing the village from the corporation in 1942. They paid the sum of £1 400, plus legal fees of £200. The Onrust River Village Management Board was registered on 27 March 1950, with P.J. Nel as chairman. Onrust became a full-fledged municipality on 1 January 1975, thanks to the efforts of Mr P. Dawson. As the first mayor, serving for a total of 13 years, he also earned the honour of having a street named after him!.

The street signs of Onrus River reflect its history, but the road sign tells another tale! Visitors may be puzzled to see that the name "Onrusrivier" on the road sign near the village has a "t" added by hand. This is proof of an ongoing debate: the archaic form Onrust, or the up-to-date Onrus? In 1969 the Place Names Commission removed the “t” from the name. No objections were recorded, and yet – the "t" keeps reappearing on the road sign!

In 1994 Onrus River was incorporated into the Greater Hermanus municipality, despite efforts to preserve a separate identity. However, for the fiercely loyal residents of Onrus it remains a special place with a unique character. Onrus River has developed into a thriving town and active community, which celebrated its centenary in style in 2003.