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local Saturday 26 april 2025

Place names in San Nicolas and their origins

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