Page 11 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Monday 18 noveMber 2024

Place names in San Nicolas and their origins

(Oranjestad)--If you’re ever taking origin of this name is part historical translates to “Saint Nicolas”, lead-
a tour of Aruba, San Nicolas would and speculation, as there are slight ing many to believe that this district
definitely be on your itinerary. deviations from what actually hap- was named after a Spanish saint.
From relaxing on the white, san- pened. Though one account does support
dy beaches of Baby and Roger’s this with the theory that the district
Beach, to exploring the prehistoric In 1829, Pieter Lampe was a plant- was named after the saint by Span-
caves of Quadirikiri and Fontein, “Sero Colorado” translates to “Col- er and the person responsible for ish colonizers, the other account is
you are taking in a full view of what ored Hill”. Sero Colorado has deep governing this remote area. As the much less divine, but does refer to
San Nicolas has to offer. But did historical ties with the once-thriving story goes, Pieter was well known an influential figure in the area.
you know that you are also passing phosphate industry in the area. and beloved for his kindness and
through areas whose names have Matter of fact, there are still under- good treatment of his employees, Nicolaas van der Biest was a suc-
historical origins? Here are a few ground shafts and passages deep and was therefore also called Va- cessful landowner during the time
place names in San Nicolas and in Sero Colorado from the time of der Piet (Father Piet). However, he of the phosphate boom in late
their origin story. phosphate mining. In 1958, the re- was tragically murdered—some 19th century Aruba. Back then,
finery at the time, Lago, adopted speculate at the hands of a slave. landowners (most, if not all of them
Sero Colorado this name for the residential section For his work and good heart, the men) were referred to as “Shon” by
On your way to Baby or Roger’s of its employees. area was named after him. their subordinates. So, the district
Beach, you’ll pass by the famous was originally named after Shon
Red Anchor at what was once the Vader Piet San Nicolas Nicolaas. Over time, the name
entrance to the Colony residential Another well visited area, Vader Of course we can’t forget San evolved into what is now San Nico-
community and be greeted with Piet is located in the Arikok Na- Nicolas itself. Much like Vader Piet, las. q
red soiled hills by the coast. This is tional Park. Recognizable sites the origin of the name San Nicolas
Sero Colorado. Named after the within this area includes the Wind has so far two different accounts. Source: “Aruba: Short History”
30-meter, deep red, limestone hill, Mills and the Quadirikiri Cave. The In the literal sense, “San Nicolas” by Dr. J. Hartog.

Adriaan Laclé

One of Aruba’s richest men in the twentieth century

(Oranjestad)—The name Adriaan Laclé about his childhood upbringing or any
may ring a bell to locals as one of the big- of his earlier business ordeals, but during
ger roads on the island, but about a cen- his hay day he often helped people get
tury ago, Adriaan Laclé was a rich busi- loans, was a well-established trader, and
nessman, well-known for his generosity, owned aCarmen manor—now a restau-
wealth, and taste. rant. Though he himself never lived in the
beautiful manor, his own house also re-
Adriaan was born in 1866 and was the flected his success and good taste. Today
eldest of six children. Not much is known his house still stands in good condition and
can be found in the back streets of main
street Oranjestad.

Regarding his personal life, it has been
said that he was married twice during his
lifetime. He had his first daughter during
his first marriage but lost his wife soon after Source: De Kolibrie op de Rots
her birth. During his second marriage, he (en meer over de geschiedenis van Aruba)
fathered 16 children. However, it has been by Evert Bongers.
said that only 11 of those 17 made it past
18 years of age. Perhaps two of his most
well-known daughters are Maria Monica
Laclé and Maria Veneranda Laclé, who
went on to marry successful brothers Eloy
Arends and Maximilian Arends, respec-
tively. Their houses are still standing; Eloy
and Maria Monica’s mansion functions as
a townhall, used to host civil marriages,
while Maximilian and Maria Veneranda’s
house stands on the opposite side of the
road to them—though currently under ren-
ovation after years left in ruin. q