Huysburg

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History

Early Colonial Period (1520-1630)

Huysburg ca 1580

The exact timing of the founding of Huysburg is disputed, but documents from Noordkaap mention a "Huys met Burg ende Have" in 1543, most probably corresponding to Huysburg. A small fortress was build before 1550 as indicated by archaeological findings, while the a wall was build around the hilltop town center around 1575, and around the downtown harbor around 1580. Lentia trading archives from 1594 mention "Huys-by-Burgh" as a small harbor from where wood and fruits were exported. In the early 1600s Huysburg grew as an important trading center for southern Fayaan. New settlements in the Klaarmeer area produced more and more fruits that were exported to Lentia, while the logging industry became a major economic driver for the area. Huysburg became the major ship building town of northern Archanta.

The Leeye River mouth shifted northwards after a major hurricane in 1618, resulting in fast silting up of the harbor area. Several attempts to dredge the harbor failed. A small new harbor community (Kleynhave) developed on the Leeye banks more to the north, while the old harbor became completely useless in 1628.

Second Colonial Period (1630-1700)

In 1629 the governor ordered the construction of a new city center harbor on the new mud flats. Between 1630 and 1647 a new downtown city center was constructed, with a more extended walled city, a new fort (Fort Domestica) and the seaside harbor. The seaside harbor was also walled with a seawall, partially constructed from stone.