Damaged houses from the 1969 earthquake were destined to be demolished, but Gabriel Fagan and others fought for Church Street to be declared a National Monument in order to facilitate their restoration. The president of the country was the patron and funding was channelled from all of South Africa’s provinces as well as the Protectorate South West Africa.

The houses were restored back to a Cape Dutch period with many of the gables rebuilt from photographic precedent. This manner of restoration has lead to the lively debate about conservation methodology and, as well as being a tourist attraction for the town, plays an important role in the dialogue and development of attitudes towards restoration work.