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Colesberg

Established in 1830 and first named Toverberg after a nearby hill. Renamed after Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, Governor of the Cape Colony – 1828-1833. Became a municipality in 1840.

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Cole’s Kop



    Cole’s Kop – named after the town. Previously named Toorberg, Tower Mountain – means bewitched – can be seen from a distance. During the ABW the British dragged two canons to the top.

Dutch Reformed Church



    Dutch Reformed Church, 18 Chales Cilliers St St – the second church on this spot. The cornerstone was laid on 17 February 1864 and inaugurated on 9 August 1866. The clocktower was only added in 1926. Was declared a National Monument on 19August 1977.

Coniston house

    Coniston house, 3 Ventershoek St – This house was built in 1835 for Thomas Plewman. In 1893 Pres. Paul Kruger and Lord Henry Brougham Locke discuss the second Swaziland Convention in this house. It was declared a National Monument on 27 December 1985.

Kemper Museum



    Kemper Museum, Rhyneveld Square – Built in 1861 – The premises were bought from RA Green on 1st July 1861 and modified to serve as a bank. It housed the Colesberg Bank (est January 1861). Rebuilt in October 1862 to its present state. On 1st July 1863 Colesberg Bank was taken over by Standard Bank. The bank moved in 1939 and the building housed the Municipality until 1975 it became a museum. Declared a National Monument in 1993. A school was established in 1885 and was housed in the building next to the museum.

Wrought Iron Lamp



    Wrought Iron Lamp, cnr Ventershoek and Pres Kruger St – Erected on 20 June 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 60th Jubilee. It has four paraffin lamps. At a time the only public lighting in Colesberg.

Reformed Church



    Reformed Church, Stockenstroom St – the cornerstone was laid by elder ID du Plessis on 15 March 1862. Present was rev Postma who initiated the Reformed Churches. The tower was completed on 6 February 1863. Declared a National Monument on 22 September 1978.

Methodist Church



    Methodist Church- the cornerstone was laid by George Murray Esq on 28 June 1862.

Magistrate’s Court



    Magistrate’s Court, Stockenstroom St – This building was built in 1890

Ortlepp house



    Ortlepp house, Church st – built in 1844, The birthplace of Lady Phillips (nee Ortlepp) Married to Sir Lionel Phillips, a mining magnate and politician.

Anglican Church (Christ Church),



    Anglican Church (Christ Church), Church St – Designed by Sophy Gray (wife of Bishop Robert Gray- first Bishop of Cape Town) in 1849. The building was completed in 1854. The Chancel and porch were added in 1880.

Houses in Bell St



    Houses Bell St – The land was surveyed and transferred in 1862. These houses are representative of early Karoo architecture. Declared National Monuments.

15 Bell st



    15 Bell st – a fourbay façade flanked by single bay wings. Declared a Heritage site

Karoo Architecture houses



    Karoo Architecture houses – with varandas and corniches

1938 Trek Monument



    1938 Trek Monument, Sluiter St – Commemorates the Great Trek 1834-1838

War Memorial



    WarMemorial - This monument commemorates the British soldiers who died during the Anglo Boer war 1899-1902

Boer War Memorial



    Boer War memorial - This monument commemorates the burghers of the Colesberg congregation who died during the Anglo Boer war 1899-1902.

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