We are often asked about the early history of the Searles and much of this is displayed in a picture essay on the walls of our Outeniqua room. What is not shown is the Why? Why did the company expand so rapidly and why was it so successful.

This is an attempt to answer the question bearing in mind that all the early Searle board meeting info has been lost. We also look into first leather tanning.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Cape Colony was annexed by the British and officially became their colony in 1815. Britain encouraged settlers to the Cape, and in particular, sponsored the 1820 Settlers to farm in the disputed area between the colony and the Xhosa in what is now the Eastern Cape.