HANKEY

Town in the Gamtoos Valley. It was established in 1825 as a station of the London Missionary Society and named after the treasurer of this society, William Alers Hankey
William Philip’s irrigation tunnel
William Philip’s irrigation tunnel, off R331 on road to Patensie – the first irrigation tunnel in South Africa. Irrigation furrows were dug from the Klein River to irrigate the lands. William Philip of the missionary station want more water from the Gamtoos River. He decided to cut a tunnel through a steep rocky ridge (90 m high) together with Hottentots of his congregation in 1842. They dig from both sides and opened it on 13 August 1844. The tunnel is 94 m in length. Proclaimed a National Monument on 28 March 1969.
Cairn William Alers Hankey
Cairn William Alers Hankey, street to Loerie – This cain commemorates Rev William Alers Hankey, treasurer London Mission Society 1828-1831 after whom the town Hankey was named. (1826-1986)
Grace Chapel
Grace Chapel, Douglas St – The cornerstone was laid by T Searle Esq on 17 July 1912.
Interdenominational Church
Interdenominational Church, Damon St
Congregational Church
Congregational Church, Damon St – The LMS (London Missionary Society) founded the congregation in 1822. It became independent from the LMS in 1876 and became a Congregational Church. The bell tower was erected by Jas. Blacklaws in April 1934.
Sarah Baartman’s Grave
Sarah Baartman’s Grave - It was only on 9 August 2002 that the remains of Sarah Bartmann, a Khoi-San woman, were laid to rest upon a hill (Vergaderingskop) outside the town after spending life as an object of display in Europe during the 18th/19th centuries. Born circa 1789 and died in Paris, France on 29 December 1815. She gained attention from the European community because of her steatopygic body type, having substantial levels of tissue on the buttocks and thighs. She was brought to London in 1810 as the “Hottentot Venus” and in 1814 to France. Her skeleton and body cast were displayed in the Natural History Museum in Paris. Her grave was declared a National Heritage site.