Klein Piscadera – Rais.cw

According to old documents, the common border between Groot and Klein Piscadera was established in 1865. This small plantation of 122 hectares was possibly split off from Groot Piscadera earlier, because around 1850 it already had a modest herd of livestock and some farming was carried out there.

Klein Piscadera lies west of the inner water of Piscadera and east of plantation Blauw.

Plantation house

The plantation house was probably built at the beginning of the 19th century. It consists of three units built together lengthwise, each with its own saddle roof. The kitchen is in the south-west corner, and from the terrace on the south one had a beautiful view of the Drie Gebroeders (Three Brothers): Seru Pretu, the Veerisberg and the Jack Evertszberg.

The last of the three stands on the former plantation Jack Evertsz (1899), alias Ravenslot, Donkerenberg, Blaauw Blaauw or Slange Baai, which was formerly added to Klein Piscadera. It lies between Blauwbaai and the Piscaderabaai, west of the inner water. The Jack Evertszberg, or Sé Djakebu, is the last and the lowest of the three brothers (115 m).

Mangoes

The estate had a plantation house that stood north of the Jack Evertszberg, near the foot, and whose foundations can still be seen. Little is known about this former plantation house Ravenslot, or Ravenstein, which must have been fairly large.

Through the merger, Klein Piscadera was formerly also called Jack Evertsz, Jack Ever, Jakever or Djakebu, besides the aliases Piscadera Chikí, Weltevreden or Tropenweelde: the plantation house was in fact completely hidden under trees and flowering bushes and was known above all for its lush mango hofje. There were days when as many as 10,000 mangoes were transported to the city.

Pedro Luis Brion

Klein Piscadera was never really of economic importance and changed owner very often over the centuries. For example, from 1802 to 1807 it was owned by Pierre Luis Brion, the father of the freedom fighter Pedro Luis Brion, who had bought the estate together with his son-in-law.

During the 20th century Klein Piscadera was for years in the possession of the Joubert family, who operated it, among other things, as a livestock plantation. For example, milk was delivered to the then Sint Elisabeth Hospital.

An extensive archive of the plantation exists, with deeds of purchase, estate descriptions and survey letters (rooibrieven) dating back to 1772.

In 1980 the plantation house was still inhabited and the mangasinas, corrals and stables were clearly recognisable. But nowadays the once picturesque little plantation house with three gables stands there forlorn, together with its warehouses, corrals and stables. An American project developer once unveiled plans for the whole plantation, but these were ultimately not carried out.

Signal post

Brenneker writes that Ceru Djakebu is the corruption of the first owner of the plantation, Jack Evertsz, or Jacob Evertsz. Members of this — originally German riders' — family were known in the 18th century on Curaçao above all as leaders of the cavalry that was based in the Ruiterkwartier (area of Zuikertuintje). Besides leading the cavalry they mediated for the government in the frequently occurring "tranqueer matters", i.e. land-grabbing disputes between plantation owners. Members of the Evertsz family were also planters and owners of various plantaadjes in the Ruiterkwartier such as Bloemhof, Pos Cabai, Bever, Saliña Abou, Chobolobo and the plantation Koningsplein.

The West Signal Post (West Seinpost) on the Jack Evertszberg, now a protected monument, dates from the 18th century and was put back into use during the Second World War.

The old signal post consists of a guardhouse with a tiled roof and its own water tank. There is also a flagpole base, as can also be seen on the hill Post Nederland at Koraal Specht.

Aiming post

According to a report of the Werkgroep Archeologie the West Seinpost was an aiming post (richtpost): a bearing instrument stood on a concrete pillar, so that the exact direction to a ship or submarine at sea could be taken. This direction was passed on by telephone to one of the coastal batteries, such as that of Blauwbaai. Because measurements were taken at the same moment from several aiming posts, the position of the ship could be determined by means of triangulation, and the guns could be aimed at it precisely.

The Jack Evertzberg stands on private land.

With thanks to François van der Hoeven, Christel Monsanto, Gerard van Buurt, the Werkgroep Archeologie (photos) and Frensel Mercelina.