History of Middelburg
Middelburg in the Eastern Cape was founded in 1852, as a midway point between Graaff-Reinet and Colesberg.
A site for Middelburg was chosen, as its name implies, in the very center of a circle of other platteland towns – thus providing a hub for the secular and spiritual life of a pioneer farming community, which was, till then, very far from anywhere.
As far back as 1786, the nearby town of Graaff-Reinet was proclaimed. On the 6th of February 1837, the Cape Government proclaimed the district of Colesberg with the field-cornetts of Middelveld, Upper-Sea Cow River, Lower-Sea Cow River, Nieu-Hantam and Agter-Suurberg. The distance between Graaff-Reinet & Colesberg was 130 miles (200km). Therefore, it was decided to find a town in between. The Dutch Reformed Church of Colesberg permitted a new congregation to secede. Thus, the Middelburg Dutch Reformed Church came into being on 19 May 1852, and according to the government Gazette of 19 June 1852, the Seat of Magistracy was announced in Middelburg.
Where Middelburg is today was the perfect spot because it was 10 hours by horseback to Colesberg, Cradock and Richmond. 12 hours by horseback to Graaff Reinet and 16 hours by horseback to Burgersdorp…. more or less in the middle (MIDDEL). Three farms, namely Kleinfontein, Grootfontein & Driefontein, were considered for the town. A commission consisting of Willem Smit and Henning Coetzee bought the farm Driefontein from Jan Coetzee for 40,000 riksdaalders (R6,000). The town was given the name Middelburg, for it lay in the middle of the surrounding towns. The first erven were sold on 12 & 13 August 1852.
James Smith purchased land from the church in 1853. He was given 1 year to build a hotel. By 1854, the hotel was completed and was called the Commercial Hotel – now called Karoo Country Inn.
The town grew rapidly in the early years, and by 1860 it had a population of over 1,000 people. Middelburg became an important trading post for the surrounding area, and its economy was based on agriculture, livestock, and wool.
The town played a significant role in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. The British established a military camp and training centre at Grootfontein, a farm just outside Middelburg. About 7,000 troops from the Third Manchester Regiment were stationed at Grootfontein, and some of them were married, so about 3,000 women and children also lived there.
After the war, Middelburg continued to grow and prosper. The town’s economy diversified, and new industries such as brickmaking, tanning, and furniture making were established. Middelburg also became a popular tourist destination, due to its scenic location in the Great Karoo.
Today, Middelburg is a thriving town with a population of over 15,000 people. The town is home to a number of historical buildings, including the Dutch Reformed Church, the Grootfontein College of Agriculture, and the Ouberg Hill Monument. Middelburg is also a popular destination for hiking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
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The town grew rapidly in the late 19th century, and by the early 20th century it had a population of over 2,000 people. Willowmore was a major trading center for the surrounding area, and it also had a thriving Jewish community. However, the town's growth was interrupted by the Second Boer War (1901-1902), during which it was attacked twice by Boer commandos.
After the war, Willowmore's economy recovered and the town continued to grow. In the 1920s, the town was connected to the national railway network, and in the 1950s it was connected to the national electricity grid.
Today, Willowmore is a small town with a population of about 10,000 people. It is still a major trading center for the surrounding area, and it is also a popular tourist destination, due to its proximity to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Steytlerville is situated on the right bank of the Groot River, where the river emerges from a valley in the Grootrivierberge at Noorspoort. In 1875, the farm Noorspoort was purchased from the Cape Government to establish a town and church. A surveyor was contracted to subdivide the farm and to survey 200 erven. The town was established in 1876 and named after Reverend Abraham Isaac Steytler (1840-1922), a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church also served as the first mayor of Steytlerville.
whose efforts resulted in the establishment of a new Dutch Reformed Congregation.
The exceptionally wide Main Street of Steytlerville was designed at the time to allow ox wagons to turn around at both ends. Nowadays it is divided by flower boxes planted with bougainvillas in the centre and the lamp poles are adorned with the coats of arms of families associated with the town and area. Houses provide fine examples of Edwardian and Victorian architecture.
The history of Steytlerville can be traced back to the early 1800s, when the area was first settled by Trekboers, or nomadic farmers. The first permanent settlement was established in 1875, when the Dutch Reformed Church purchased the farm Noorspoort. The church established a mission station on the farm, and soon a small town began to grow around it.
The town grew rapidly in the late 19th century and was an important trading center for the surrounding farming community
Steytlerville played an important role in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The town was garrisoned by British troops, and it was used as a base for operations against the Boer commandos. The town was also the site of a number of battles during the war.
After the war, Steytlerville continued to grow and prosper. The town became a major center for the mohair industry, and it also developed a number of other industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
Today, Steytlerville is a small but thriving town. It is home to a number of historical buildings, including the Dutch Reformed Church, the Lady de Waal Bridge, and the Steytlerville War Memorial. The town is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to experience the Karoo landscape and to visit the mohair farms in the area.
