Latest blue plaque for heritage awarded
Mertz Street has got a new house with blue plaque status.
Blue plaque no 53 was awarded in Mertz Street.
On August 5, Tony Burich of the Heidelberg Heritage Association awarded the latest blue plaque for heritage at the 83 Merz Street property.
The owner Douw Steyn and his family have been staying in the house since 2001. The sponsor of the blue plaque is Theo Muller.
According to the book, Geskiedenis van Heidelberg 1836 – 1877, the first owner of the property was Mr van Staden. Then Mr Driel took ownership of the property.
Mr James Pagan was also one of the owners of the property. In 1920 Pagan subdivided the property into two stands.
There was a lane between the two properties to gain access to the stables at the back for the removal of rubble at night.
There are still visible signs of the original stables. It dates back to s time when horses were kept there before houses were built. Pagan was friends with another influential Heidelberger William McLaren. In 1871, they opened and ran a store in Heidelberg in competition with Heinrich Ueckerman.
Father John Pagan was born on April 30, 1844, in Penford, Dumfrieshire, Scotland. He got married to Margaret Wilson. Margaret was born on February 22, 1847.
The Pagans were the founding members of the Heidelberg Presbyterian Church.
John Pagan died while on holiday at Sea Point, Cape Colony. Pagan is buried with Margaret in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery.
