This residence was originally named “Schoonder Sigt” (“Clear View”) and is deeply steeped in the history of South Africa.

In the 1770’s it was one of the ten most conspicuous large manors of Cape Town. It was owned and occupied by the Commandant of the Castle, General Robert J. Gordon, who discovered and mapped a good part of South Africa. He discovered and also named our great river, the Orange (after the Prince of Orange), Plettenberg Bay (after Governor Von Plettenberg). Gordon’s Bay was named after him.

At Schoonder Sigt (which gave its name to Schoonder Street) he maintained a vast garden: a floral paradise which exported rare, hitherto unknown plant specimens, to Europe and the east via visiting ship captains. Thus Flower Street got its name.

General Gordon who commanded the Dutch forces in South Africa lived there until 1795 when he was defeated by the English Navy at the battle of Muizenberg.

In 1800 the manor was purchased by George Rex, an Englishman who is believed to be the son of King George III and his first wife Hannah Lightfoot whom he secretly married, before he ascended to the throne and
wed Queen Charlotte.

When the Dutch forces re occupied South Africa he was generously granted land at Knysna, which town he founded.