Noordhoek, meaning the Northern Corner, was first named in 1743 when it described the north corner of the farm Slangkop which was occupied by Christina Diemer, the widow of Frederick Rousseau. However long before this the valley was occupied by Khoi nomads.
This is evidenced by the excavation of skeletons in Noordhoek.
The first permanent European inhabitant of the area was Jaco Malan who built a house there. In 1857 the area was divided into six portions, most of these were bought by the de Villiers family.
The farmers grew vegetables to supply the ships calling at Simon’s Town. An article in the Wynberg Times of May 1902 describes the village. The correspondent took the train to Fish Hoek and then walked along the road (in atrocious condition) to Noordhoek, about 61/2 kilometres away.
He arrived at the Post Office/Shop/Farmhouse. He climbed up the mountainside and looked down upon “nice farm-houses scattered all over, surrounded by cultivated gardens growing nearly every kind of vegetable”. There were fine oak trees and a mountain stream watered the gardens and land. To the south and west was a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by the white sands of the glorious 7 kilometre stretch of beach.
The wreck of the famous steamer Kakapo lay prominently high and dry on the beach. The article ended “I have never seen in all my travels a prettier place than Noordhoek, or one more worth a trip to spend a good long day”.
Today Noordhoek remains one of the Cape’s treasured destinations.