A few years ago, Bev Young compiled this article on the spectacular Cock's Castle in Port Alfred. The piece was originally published in the newpaper Eastern Cape Today on 21 January 2010. Bev is one of the Eastern Cape's most prolific and passionate researchers.
Established in about 1840, the nearly 30,000 m² Richmond House property, formerly known as "The Castle", hangs tenaciously on the east face of Wesley Hill. It is an impressive estate, were yesteryear still lingers like an untouchable perfume fragrance, so familiar, yet so titillating. Situated in dense indigenous virgin bush, the historical property stands guard over the Kowie River mouth, where it all started with the arrival of the intrepid 1820 settlers. Among them was the Honourable William Cock, a wealthy Cornish printer and man of great ability and strength of character, who brought the Industrial Revolution to the Eastern Cape in the 19th century.
Old view of Cock's Castle (source unknown)
A distant view of Cock's Castle with newer buildings on the right (Bev Young)
Sue and Neville Gordon, who own the property...
