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LOCAL Thursday 29 augusT 2024

Place names in San Nicolas and their origins

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