Adderley Street was originally named Heerengracht, after the canal which ran down its centre. For many years it was a residential street, lined with large oak trees, but by 1850 it had become strongly commercial in character. Mayor Hercules Jarvis named it Adderley Street in 1850, to honour British Parliamentarian Charles Bowyer Adderley (elevated to the peerage as Baron Norton in 1878) who fought successfully against the plan for the British government to make Cape Town into another penal colony.
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Besides being the home of the post office, the railway station, the first department stores, and the first hotels, Adderley has also been home to flower sellers. Freshly cut flowers – including fynbos species such as king and pincushion proteas, depending on the season – are available from the friendly flower sellers, where this trade has operated for the past 100 years. These flowers are generally a lot cheaper than anywhere else.
At the top of Adderley street stands the Groote Kerk – the oldest church in South Africa – and the Company Gardens, which were established by Jan van Riebeeck after his arrival in the Cape in 1652.
At the top of Adderley street stands the Groote Kerk – the oldest church in South Africa – and the Company Gardens, which were established by Jan van Riebeeck after his arrival in the Cape in 1652.
More from Cape Town
Adderley Street : The City : The Harbour : Sea Point
Camps Bay and Kloof Neck : Suburban Cape Town : Cape Town streets
Flower Sellers : Mountains
Adderley Street : The City : The Harbour : Sea Point
Camps Bay and Kloof Neck : Suburban Cape Town : Cape Town streets
Flower Sellers : Mountains