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History of Curepipe

The Town of Curepipe is located in the district of Plaines Wilhems on an area covering 23.8 sq.km.  It is found on the central of the plateau at an altitude of 1, 543 mts.  It is the nearest town to the airport and thus the nearest town to the southern part of Mauritius.  Curepipe is easily accessible to the capital Port-Louis and other towns thanks to the new motorway passing on the outskirt of Curepipe.  The climate of Curepipe is reknown for its humidity and gloomy weather though at times the sun does shine very brightly.

The Town of Curepipe is located in the district of Plaines Wilhems on an area covering 23.8 sq.km.  It is found on the central of the plateau at an altitude of 1, 543 mts.  It is the nearest town to the airport and thus the nearest town to the southern part of Mauritius.  Curepipe is easily accessible to the capital Port-Louis and other towns thanks to the new motorway passing on the outskirt of Curepipe.  The climate of Curepipe is reknown for its humidity and gloomy weather though at times the sun does shine very brightly.

1. Historical Background

According to some authors the word Curepipe literally originates from the sentence curer sa pipe which means cleaning the pipe.  The hypothesis quotes that travelers and soldiers in the 19th century journeying from Port-Louis and Grand-Port usually used to stop at this particular place to refill their pipes.  However, many other historians do not share the same views.  Some believe that the name was given after a late landowner in the 18th century, whose native village was found in France.  Thus there is no concrete proof to the origination of this name Curepipe, and this has remained a mystery for its inhabitants.

In 1858, the population of Curepipe was only about 200.  During the outbreak of a malaria epidemic in the 1860’s, the persons living in Port-Louis principally had to flee and settle in Curepipe.

It is then that Curepipe experienced a rapid growth.  Roads, shops and houses were being constructed everywhere where land was flat, and most of the population constituted of the whites and their workers.

In 1865, the first railway line was opened in Curepipe, and this was very well appreciated by the inhabitants.  The railway line which ran from Curepipe to Port-Louis via Eau-Coulée and Mesnil was a rapid means of transportation to the inhabitants who had to go to Port-Louis.

By 1867, many people had fled the coastal areas and Port-Louis to settle on the Central Plateau.  Mare-aux-Joncs was parceled out to the inhabitants for construction.  This land of 625 arpents belonged to Mrs. Chauvin.  It was then that Sainte-Thérèse Church was constructed.

In the 1870’s, the Loreto Convent opened its door in a private house at Sion Hill, which is now known as Rue Couvent de Lorette.  This convent also provided shelter to the nuns and young girls residing in the southern areas.  In 1871, following the Government decision, the Royal College was opened under the rectorship of Mr. Charles Bruce.  This relieved the trouble of young students who earlier had to travel a long journey to school to Port-Louis.  However, the Royal College was then closed for 13 years, and re-opened in 1912 at the site where it is still today.

The first market of Curepipe was opened in December 1878 and comprised of only one wooden room which belonged to a very rich man.  It was named as Marché Martial, most probably after the name of the owner.  Then by 1915 when the Board of Curepipe took control of the market, it had to be pulled down and constructed a new one where it is still at present.  In 1917, it was again built in cement.

During that same period in the 1870’s, were constructed many small hotels such as Hotel Burke and Hotel Fancy.  Most of them were demolished by cyclones and others had to close down with the coming of the railway lines.  Actually during those days, hotels were much more frequented by hunters who would come on a Friday night, to go hunting early morning the next day.  Many even stayed till Sunday.

In the 1880’s, the population of Curepipe was already estimated to 10, 000.  Thus there were more activities, meetings, parties etc.  Some people then wanted a fixed place where they could meet, discuss and entertain more freely.  An association called as La Société pour la sale des reunions de Curepipe was created comprising of Sir Virgil Naz, James Vallet, Léopold Antelme, Frederick Tennant and Ch. De Barrau.  They appealed to the Government to rent a piece of land near the railway station for a period of 21 years.  Their demand was granted and Le Casino was constructed near the small lake of Hotel de Ville.  Many activities and big parties were held in the Casino by the wealthy families.  The common men used to call these parties as la misique Basson.  It was also called as Bal electrique because it was the first time that electricity was used in a private party.

However, following all these developments in Curepipe, the inhabitants were still not happy because roads were damaged easily, no pavement and other infrastructure.  Some people requested for a municipality to manage the town.  In 1882, Sir William Newton and Sir Virgil Naz jointly campained for Curepipe to have a municipality.  At first many landowners opposed to the scheme as they did not want to pay extra taxes.  In 1889, at the request of Sir Virgil Naz, he created the Board des Commissaires de Curepipe.  In that same year by October, electricity was supplied to individual houses, and on that occasion a big feast was organized.

In the next year, Ordonnance No. 12 of 1889 announced that the village of Curepipe be raised, from now on, to the name of Town of Curepipe administered by a Board or Administrative Commission.  Sir Virgil Naz was nominated as the first President of the Board by the Governor Sir Charles Lees.  Other members were Dr. W.A. Edwards, Théodore Sauzier, Louis de Rochecouste, Dr. Ferdinand Antelme and Victor Lamarque.

The years that followed were prosperous and the inhabitants very satisfied with the development in Curepipe.  It became reknown as the healthiest town of the island.  Unfortunately this happy situation did not last long.  By mid 1889, typhoid disease broke out and in August 1889 it spread over in Curepipe.  Dr. Stevenson, a very famous doctor, opened a consulting room in the Board to look after the affected people.  He worked day and night trying to care for the persons.  By 1904, the disease had spread almost everywhere over Curepipe and this created panic and fear among the inhabitants.

House made of straw or where the disease was noticed were all burnt and destroyed.

In 1913, the Government donated to the Board a piece of land of an area 26 arpents to set up a public garden today known as Curepipe Botanical Garden.  In 1917, thanks to a donation by the Carnegie Foundation of New York, a public library was constructed for the residents under the Board.  Mr. Edouard Rouillard, ex-member of the Board donated his complete collection to the library, followed by other re-known persons as Edwards, Thourner, G. Antelme, Menagé and so on.

In 1923, the Board bought the land parceled out by the Salaffa family, but in 1937, it sold it for a sum of Rs 24, 000, 4 perches to Mr. Albert Rey to build the Ritz Cinema.

In around 1924-25 Generic Viagra, Dr. Curé petitioned the Government to change the Board into Municipality.  This was positively welcomed by many others.  However, the Government rejected this petition for the simple reason that the number of signatures did not suffice.

Because Curepipe was on a marshy ground in the highlands of Plaine Wilhems, the climate was consequently very humid and gloomy.

Mist and fog prevailed for long hours in the early mornings.  Winter was very chilling and whenever it rained, the fog would become thick enough and it was difficult to see and dissipate the fog.

During the 1930’s, under the supervision of Dr. Barbeau of the Anti-Malaria unit, many canals were dug to drain-off the water from Curepipe reknown for its numerous sources.  He also had the depth of many small tributaries dug deep to allow more water to run-off.  By 1932, it was observed that there was less staggering of water and Curepipe was less humid.  This development also caused the disappearance of floods which used to produce after each heavy rainfall.

Many other developments took place in Curepipe during that period.  For outdoor games, the Board designated in March 1946, a Sports Committee responsible for the organisation of football and other games.  The Dodo Club organized apart from Football, Rugby and Hockey, other games as Volley-ball, Tennis, Squash, Ping-Pong etc.  In the year 1930, a group of youngsters created a club called as Falcon Club.  The Hounds Club founded in 1945 comprised of 36 members as the President Honourable Raoul Rivet.  The Mauritius Jockey Club was created in December 1904.  Dr. Rajcoomar Gujadhur donated a piece of his land in Mangalkhan to build a race-course.  Later on other persons as Mr. Hanoomanjee and Mr. Atchia sold their land annexed to the race-course to enlarge the ground.

On the 30th March 1940, the Board celebrated its 50th anniversary under the Presidentship of Mr. Réné Maigrot.  This whole function was diffused live on the radio.

Then followed the dark period of Curepipe in fact of the whole island the first World War.  Many constructions such as Arcades Salaffa was stopped due to lack of cement, roads were no longer constructed or asphalted etc.  Many benevolent associations came up for the help of those wounded soldiers.  Red Cross, Hotel de Ville, The Royal College, Ecole des Frères all became centre de refuge.

When the war ended, some years after, in 1966, Mauritius gained its own independence from the colonial rule.  In 1968, the Board was raised to the status of Municipality.  New and modern technology were invented and development in infrastructure, social life, cultural activities started rising up.  More people left the coastal regions to settle in Curepipe.

2. Monuments and other Touristic Spots

The Town Hall commonly known as Hotel de Ville, opened in 1902 has a unique and splendid architecture.  It is in fact, a duplicate of the famous Malmaison of Moka, which was re-constructed in Curepipe.  Every detail has been delicately taken into consideration, to render Hotel de Ville its grandeur.  Situated in the compound of the Municipality by the side of the lake, it dominated the entire view of Curepipe.  Its location in the heart of Curepipe, proximity to the bus-station is very accessible to all persons.  For some years, Hotel de Ville was closed for renovation and has recently been re-opened in Septemeber 1995.  Today Hotel de Ville stands as one of the nicest monument of Curepipe and clearly depicts a vivid picture of the past and present.

Facing its front view is the fountain and a green land.  On the yard, is a replica in bronze of Paul et Virginie made by Prosper D’Epinay in around 1902.

On the left of the Town Hall is found the Carnegie Library constructed of stone in 1917, where cherishes some unique documents and manuscripts of many persons who lived in Mauritius in the 18th and 19th centuries.

On the main road, few metres of the Town Hall, stands the famous Sainte Thérèse Church built in 1871.  With its gothic and rich architecture which renders it more elegant.  In Curepipe Road is found another church the Basilic of Sainte Hélène, but the latter attracts less people, most probably because it is of a rather modern construction.

There is also the Royal College of Curepipe built in around 1912 which resembles any British University.  Facing its front yard is the very famous monument of the unknown soldiers erected in 1922.

The Trou-aux Cerfs, a dormant crater, situated on the highest point of Curepipe, is a place which attracts many persons daily.  From there, one can get a complete view of Curepipe and other towns like Vacoas, Quatre-Bornes and Rose-Hill. There is a circular road around the crater.  This spot is famous for its splendid view, cold fresh air, sun-set, meeting-point for lovers, picnicking while others go for jogging.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden, found in Route des Jardins is another place worth visiting.  Always green and clean, people go there to relax and breathe fresh air.  It has a variety of rare plants, a kiosque for people to sit or where cultural activities are sometimes organized.  Though small in size, the garden is well maintained, crossed by a small river and a pond.

Hyophorbe amaricaulis, an indigenous plant is unique in the world.  Many attempts are made to cross fertilize this plant but it has been in vain.  There is a small lake in which nandia palms can be seen growing.  Entrance is free and lovers like to linger there.

The garden was named Sir Seewoosagar Botanical Garden around the mid 1980’s.

Other Entertainment

Last but not least, to entertain people of different likings, there is the Casino, a lieu of gamble.  There are as well many restaurants to cater for all tastes.

Recently Le Forum has been opened which accommodates national fairs and the weekly market.  For intellectuals, apart from Carnegie Library, there is also le Centre Culturel Français in Rue Chateauneuf and many private bookshops in the Arcades.

Today Curepipe is a leading commercial town with expanding shops, satellite villages twinned with Curepipe, long wide roads, houses on hilltops and expanding development in the surroundings with the organisation of expo-fairs at Le Forum opened in 1991.

The roads are now all well-lit and with the increasing population, natural forests had to be cut down to be replaced by concrete settlement.  The gloomy foggy weather is even slowly fading with the increasing number of vehicles on the roads which cause much pollution.

Lately Curepipe has experienced many infrastructural changes such as Sunsheel, Manhattan Shopping Complex with supermarket, cinema hall, shops etc.  One of the largest stadium is also situated in Curepipe, namely George V Stadium.  Bus station Jan Palach in 1990 which relieved the persons residing in the South, Le Forum market and sports complex in 1991, the new motorway passing at La Vigie which avoids the hectic centre of Curepipe, new sports ground for the athletes, videolibrary and Cybercafé opened in Carnegie Library, CNT Bus Depot in 16ème Mille, many touristic shops and small-scale industries manufacturing maquettes de bateau, Gallerie Jan Palach, Garden Village – multi-complex and shopping centre, seat of Medical Council at Floréal, Training Centre of State Bank at La Vigie and last but not least the splendid architectural building of Lake Point a floating shopping centre adjacent to the Casino.

Bibliography

1. Histoire de la ville de Curepipe: notes et

anecdotes/Charles G. Ducray [1957]

2.Ile Maurice : Nouvelles Frontières [1990]

3.An invitation to the charms of the Mauritian

localities/B. Mungur and B. Burrun.