Historic Monument

The lighthouse at Seal Point was built in 1878, and has been declared a National Monument. The brass plaque you see on the gatepost is placed on all buildings with this status.

The honour brings with it responsibilities for those who own or administer a national monument, to maintain and preserve it in its original condition. No alterations may be made without specific permission from the Heritage Board, who will make very sure that any changes do not intefere with the historic nature of the place. (Sadly in many places, like Port Elizabeth, this is being ignored, and wonderful heritage sites are being lost as businesses have no problem paying a paltry fine for demolishing a building on a site that will bring a fat profit from a new development.)

But the good news is that there are many others, like this one, which are lovingly cared for and open to the public, so that an interest in the heritage of our nation can be passed on from generation to generation.

the village

The village of St francis Bay stands on land that was bought in 1954, by Leighton Hulett who moved from Zululand with his wife and children. Initially it was set up as a fishing camp where he and his family and friends enjoyed bathing and fishing in this isolated paradise. A small township of 51 plots was laid out in 1956 and at that stage it was still going to be called Cape St Francis. This name was first changed to Sea Vista in 1960. After the establishment of the first approved township Hulett developed the marina glades, the town grew and after a public referendum in 1979 the village name was officially changed to St Francis Bay. His insistence on a specific style of architecture, preserving character, ensured the development of a village that is quite unique.