The Spring The Schoolmaster Discovered

The main street of Hermanus, circa 1850. Hermanus was named after Hermanus Pieters, a schoolmaster from Caledon who wandered over the mountain looking for pasture for his sheep. He found a clear freshwater spring, and spread the word. Many farmers followed him, and later on came for holidays. The town that sprang up around the spring was named for the discoverer of the spring: Hermanuspietersfontein. Many years later the postmaster submitted a request that the name be shortened, as the long name of Hermanuspietersfontein proved to be a burden to him. His request was granted, and since then our beautiful village was known as Hermanus.