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Cullinan

Laid out on the farm Elandsfontein in 1902. It was named after Sir Thomas Major Cullinan, founder of the Premier Diamond Mine. The world’s biggest diamond, the Cullinan, weighing 3106 ct, was discovered here in January 1905.Now part of the British Crown Jewels. The town was used as a military training centre and a transit camp during WW II.

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St George’s Anglican Church

  • St George’s Anglican Church – Designed by Sir Herbert Baker – The foundation stone was laid by Lady Cullinan on 8 March 1908.

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Zonderwater Cemetery

  • Zonderwater Cemetery – The farm Zonderwater was used as a military training centre during WW II. It was later used to house WWII prisoners of War – mostly Italians. They were captured in Abyssinia in North Africa. 94 000 were interred. Close to 300 died here. Many returned to South Africa after the war.

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Battle of Diamond Hill

  • Battle of Diamond Hill – also known as Battle of Donkerhoek – the battle took place on 11-12 June 1900. (2nd Anglo Boer War 1899-1902) The Boers moved their capitol from Pretoria to Machadodorp. To prevent the British army from moving east along the railway line General Louis Botha establish a line of defence in the ridges. The British advanced on the 11th. The Boers withdraw on the night of the 12th. This would be impossible to hold the position and left with a sese of victory. A Boer monument overlooks the British cemetery. Stone shelters used by the Boers can still be seen.

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Semi-detach stone houses

  • Semi-detach stone houses – Oak Avenue – circa 1903/4 – built of dressed stone, the personnel of the mine accommodated these houses. Now used for commercial enterprises.

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Wood and corrugated iron houses 

  • Wood and corrugated iron houses - Oak Ave – this building was used as the first Nedbank branch in the town in 1904.

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McHardy House

  • McHardy House – 101 Oak Ave - 1903 – this Edwardian house was occupied by William McHardy, the first general manager at the mine. Two of his daughters stayed here until their deaths in 1984. Now used as a museum.

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Oak House

  • Oak House - Oak Ave – this house was built in 1904 to house dignitaries visiting Cullinan.

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Mining machinery

  • Mining machinery – these were used on the mine. It includes the small locos, cocopans, mechanical loader, corrugated iron roller as well as a vehicle used underground.

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Nedbank

  • Nedbank – Oak Avenue – the bank moved from the house to this building circa 1908.

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Harry's Pancakes

  •                                                            Harry's pancakes, Oak Ave

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Premier Dairy

                                                                       Premier Dairy Oak Ave

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Dentists

  • Dentist in Oak Ave

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Premier Diamond Lodge (Masonic Hall)

  • Premier Diamond Lodge (Masonic Hall) – This Freemasons hall was completed in September 1909.

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Recreation Hall

  • Recreation Hall – Build in 1905, it burned down in 1910 and was rebuild in 1912. This building has served many purposes, i.e. as a school, church to name a few. Murals appear on the inside walls, painted by the Italian POW.

2023-04-12 13_34_20-1 Hotel St - Google Maps and 2 more pages - Personal - Microsoft​ Edge

Premier Hotel

  • Premier Hotel – circa 1909 

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Railway Station

  • Railway Station – the railway line from Rayton to Cullinan was opened in 1905. The railway buildings were all wood and corrugated iron structures.

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Cullinan Military Cemetery

  • Cullinan Military Cemetery – This cemetery was used for those who died during the 2nd World War 1939-1945.

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Onverwacht Dutch Reformed Church

  • Onverwacht Dutch Reformed Church – about 10 km outside Cullinan – Onverwacht is said to be an area given to the black Afrikaners by the ZAR. This church is an Afrikaans church serving the black Afrikaners of Onverwacht.

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Stone house ruins

  • Stone house ruins - Onverwacht

Willem Prinsloo farm

  • Willem Prinsloo farm – Now the Willem Prinsloo Agriculture Museum, R104 near Cullinan crossing – Located on the farm Kaalfontein once owned by Willem Prinsloo. The main house dated 1860. The waenhuis accommodate the oxwagon dated 1890. 16 hectares were donated by his great-granddaughter Miertjie le Roux to the National Cultural History Museum in 1976.

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