Gold, the possible origin of the name Oranjestad 200 years ago

In consultation with the National Archives of Aruba, the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba, and the Department of Culture, the Ministry of Culture informs on the possible origin of the name Oranjestad and its connection with the gold found in Aruba and explains the history of Playa that goes many more years back.

In June 1824, young Willem Rasmijn discovered gold in Aruba, specifically at Rooi Fluit. The riverbed was dry, and Willem spotted a shiny gold-colored stone. Willem took the stone to his father, who sold it after confirming it was gold. It is where the news of the discovery of gold in Aruba began to spread, and the gold rush started in Aruba, with many people beginning to search for gold along the northern coast of Aruba.

The discovery of gold in Aruba made the island attractive to the Netherlands. The commander of Aruba, Jacob Thielen, informed the Governor Cantz'laar of Curaçao about the gold found in Aruba. Governor Cantz'laar visited the many locations where gold was found in Aruba on August 4, 1824. A journal was kept during this visit, which shows that on August 24, the birthday of King Willem I, a big celebration was held in the village at Paardenbaai, with some Aruban citizens also present. During the celebration, Governor Cantz'laar toasted in honor of the King’s birthday, saying: "Long live Oranjestad! May it grow and flourish!" In this way, “the village at Paardenbaai received the name Oranjestad in honor of the royal house 'Huis van Oranje.' Reverend Bosch, who was in Aruba in 1827, recorded this story and wrote about these events in his notes, published in “Reizen in West-Indië” in 1836.

The Governor’s assistant, adjutant R.F. Van Raders, was tasked by Governor Cantz'laar to report on the gold found in Aruba. In 1825, Van Raders adapted the map of Aruba, which dates back to 1820, and added the name of the village of Oranjestad. They sent the map to King Willem I, which is considered the first official use of the name Oranjestad.

Playa, or 'the village at Paardenbaai,' received the name Oranjestad thanks to the colonial relationship between Aruba and the Netherlands. However, before this colonial relationship began, Playa already existed. Archaeological data confirm traces of indigenous inhabitants in Playa before the colonial period in Aruba. In the heart of Playa, at places like Fort Zoutman, Plaza Daniel Leo, and the area of the Arubus station, artifacts from the ceramic period, dating from 900 to 1500 AD, have been found. There are indications that Playa was one of the six villages of the natives in Aruba before the arrival of the Spaniards. The name Playa was common in the natives' communication and among traders from the mainland. Thus, we find a map of Aruba from 1794 mentioning Puerto Caballos, later called Paardenbaai by the Dutch. These data show that the history of Playa goes much further back than Oranjestad.

Gold is what gave Oranjestad value in the eyes of the Netherlands. However, the history of Playa must live in our hearts, as it reveals more about Aruba’s first inhabitants, traders, and our enduring connections with the mainland. The stories of Playa form the true cultural heritage, which is worth its weight in gold and worth being investigated, documented, commemorated, and that we should feel proud of.