PART 3: Early development of business in Hermanus

In Part 2 of his comprehensive history on the early development of business in Hermanus, DR ROBIN LEE of the Hermanus History Society examined the important factors that allowed businesses to gain momentum in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This week, Part 3 focuses on the period 1915 – 1930.

At least three banks opened in Hermanus in the early 20th century, the largest of which was The National Bank of South Africa (Pty) Ltd, with premises in the Balcony Building in Harbour Road. This was the forerunner of Barclays Bank and, later, the First National Bank (FNB).

Physical evidence of the presence of the bank remains in the building, in the form of a safe. The door of the safe is still in excellent working condition and reveals some interesting information. The manufacturer was a firm in London by the name of John Tann. This firm was the oldest and best safe-maker of its time in England, having been established by Edward Tann in 1790. National Bank installed the safe, which was later used by Alex Grant, the pharmacist, to store dangerous medicines, and later still, by The Factory Shop. It is still fully operational.

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 4)