Knysna - history
Knysnas name - pronounced Nysna - was probably derived from the Hottentot word Xthuys Xna, which means the place where the wood is. It was a description of the Knysna River that meanders through the thick indigenous forest and through deep and often inaccessible gorges before it finally flows into the lagoon.
Hikers can explore this paradise on many trails. The most spectacular one is of course the Outeniqua Hiking Trail which takes several days. The first settlers of the 18th century were already attracted by the incomparably beautiful nature surrounding the large lagoon. The most beautiful farm was acquired by Stephanus Terblans in 1770. In those days his holding Melkhoutkraal encompassed the entire lagoon. After Terblans died ownership of the property changed several times. In 1804 it was then purchased by the man who is regarded as the founder of the settlement and the harbour in Knysna, George Rex.
Official founding of the settlement of Knysna took place in 1825. In 1851 Knysna was declared a municipality and in 1881 a town.
Knysnas harbour was closed again in 1954: the transport of goods had at this time shifted to the railway which went into commission in 1928. The railway line between Knysna and George is still used by historic steam trains. The so called Outeniqua Choe Choe train remains a big attraction for fans of these historic steamers. The tracks run through forests, along the lakes in Wilderness and over spectacular parts of the coast line and rivers. This makes for an ideal day trip!
A separate chapter in the history of Knysna needs to be dedicated to the inhabitants of the indigenous forest. These were the famous forest elephants and the lumberjacks who under extremely rough conditions felled the gigantic yellow woods, some of which were up to a thousand years old. The indigenous forests are protected these days and it is still possible to marvel at many of the gigantic trees. The fate of the elephants however seems sealed. At the beginning of the 20th century a large herd still existed, by the end of the 80s the Knysna forest elephants were however almost extinct. The attempt to introduce new elephants from the Kruger Park failed. The animals could not adapt to the tough and wet conditions in the indigenous forest.
Up until recently it was believed that only one elephant had remained, a cow of over 50 years of age. However, early in the year 2000 the story began to circulate that a forestry worker had been attacked by a young elephant bull. This would mean that the cow had produced at least one offspring, and probably more!
You can learn more about Knysnas history in two little museums. The most well-known book about Knysna is a novel about the life of the lumberjacks and the elephants during the 19th century: Daleen Mathees Circles in the Forest tells the story of a boy who grows up in the forest and learns to fear and respect the old elephant bull Old Bigfoot.
