The property was originally granted to George Daniel Diesel in 1824. The building was presumably erected after that date and is richly decorated with a number of Victorian architectural elements. In its time it has accommodated a number of well-known Port Elizabeth citizens, including its Harbour Master, the Civil Commissioner and James Somers Kirkwood, after whom the village was named. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 9 December 1988.
References
9/2/073/0039