Information on Darling, Western Cape, South Africa

Conference Venues South Africa brings you information on Darling situated in the Western Cape Province of South Africa including information on history, location, geography, attractions.

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Darling History

Groenekloof, the name of the area in which Darling is situated, dates back to 1682 when standard bearer Oloff Bergh, pioneer explorer, undertook a journey to the north through the heavy sands of the West Coast. Darling, named after Charles Henry Darling who came to the Cape as Lieutenant Governor, was founded on the farm Langfontein in 1853.

By the beginning of the 18th century some 29 farmers occupied farms in the Groenkloof area. Langfontein was one of these farms. The Darling Village trustees board succeeded in buying the farm for a village and church on 12 February 1853 (for 50.000 Guilder or 1.250 Pounds). Of which 10 belonged to the Government's contracted butchers.

From the earliest years travelers through the Groenekloof were overwhelmed by the rich tapestry of flowers which cover the fields surrounding Darling during spring each year. James Backhouse wrote in 1840, "There are no Wild Flowers like those at Darling". In 1915 Mrs Suzanne Malan, the Predikant's wife, and Mr Frederick Duckitt of Waylands founded the Darling Wildflower Society and the renowned annual Darling Wildflower show has been held virtually every year since its inception in 1917.

Darling was not only known for its Wildflowers, but also for its game, salt and butter. In 1899 two Swedes, Nils Georg Moller and G. Threnstrom settled in Darling and started their own creamery here. By 1906 the business had become too big for the Swedes and it was taken over by the farmers who formed a corporation. A bigger factory was built in 1914 which served the creamery until a modern factory was built in Paarden Eiland 1950.

The Darling museum was established to preserve the history of the butter-making industry in Darling. A reflection of village and farm life from the 19th century, the museum contains a unique collection of artifacts depicting the beginning of butter making and the history of Darling creamery. Fortunately we again have our own creamery in Darling, so we are once more able to purchase our own Darling milk.

Towns and Suburbs of the Western Cape province of South Africa

Arniston , Albertinia , Bantry Bay , Bellville , Barrydale , Beaufort West , Bloubergrant , Bloubergstrand , Brackenfell , Caledon , Century City , Ceres , Camps Bay , Cape Town , Citrusdal , Clanwilliam , Claremont , Constantia , Darling, De Rust , De Waterkant , Durbanville , Fish Hoek , Franschhoek , Fresnaye , Gardens , Gordon's Bay , Gansbaai , George , Grabouw , Green Point , Greyton , Hout Bay , Hermanus , Kenilworth , Kleinmond , Knysna , Lakeside , Lambert's Bay , Langebaan , Malgas , McGregor , Melkbosstrand , Milnerton , Morreesburg , Muizenberg , Montagu , Mossel Bay , Mowbray , Newlands , Noordhoek , Observatory , Oranjezicht , Oudtshoorn , Paternoster, Paarl , Parow , Pinelands , Plettenberg Bay , Prince Albert , Pringle Bay , Rawsonville , Robertson , Riebeeck West , Rondebosch , Stellenbosch , Somerset West , Simon's Town , Saldanha , Sea Point , Sir Lowry's Pass , Stanford , St Helena Bay , Strand , Swellendam , Table View , Tokai , Tulbagh , Tygerberg , Uniondale, Vermont , Vredendal , Wellington , Wilderness , Witsand , Worcester , Wynberg , Yzerfontein