HARRISMITH
It was originally laid out on the farm Majoorsdrift in 1849, on a site 16 km west of the present site. Due to lack of water, it was re-established om the present site in 1850. It was named after Sir Harry Smith, Governor of the Cape (1847-1851). It obtained municipal status in 1875.
Town Hall
Town Hall, Warden st. – It was designed by the architects Price & Agutter and built by Kelly & Anderson of Johannesburg. The actual builders were the British troops of the local garrison. The cornerstone was laid by Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams on 2 August 1907. It was officially inaugurated by Sir Goold-Adams on 7 September 1908. Declared a National Monument. Next to the town hall is ta part of a fossilised tree. Estimated at 250 000 years old. Declared a National monument on 21 December 1983.
War Memorial
War Memorial, opposite Town Hall, Warden St – It commemorates the women and children who died in the concentration camp as well as the burghers of the town during the ABW (1899-1902). Inaugurated by Colonel JFJ van Rensburg, Administrator of the Free State and General Wessel Wessels in 1936.
War memorial
War memorial, Right hand side of Town Hall – It commemorates the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards who lost their lives during the ABW (1899-1902)
War memorial
War memorial, Right hand side of Town Hall – It commemorates the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards who lost their lives during the ABW (1899-1902)
Cloete and Neveling Building
Cloete and Neveling Building, 29A Southey St – Gable inscribed Established 1862
House, Stuart St
House, Stuart St – now offices for Mosaic Funerals
Harrismith Club
Harrismith Club, cnr Stuart and Bester st – Dated 1919. Derelict
Rose Garden manor house
Rose Garden manor house, 40 Biddulph st – Guest house
AE Odel & Co, 47 Stuart St
AE Odel & Co, 47 Stuart St – Shop building. Jewellers and silver smith merchants
Dutch Reformed church Kerkenberg
Dutch Reformed church Kerkenberg, cnr Warden and Garvock St – Congregation commenced on 21 March 1942. The cornerstone was laid by Rev FJB Naude on 11 November 1944.
Masonic Hall
Masonic Hall, named Southern Cross Lodge. Bester St - The cornerstone was laid by Worshipful Master A Caskie on 24 June AL 5912 (Masonic date for 1912)
War Memorial
War Memorial, in front of DR Church, 25 Murray st – Commemorates the burghers of Harrismith who lost their lives during the ABW (1899-1902)
Shop Building
Shop Building, cnr Warden & Garvock st
Little New Horizon Primary School
62 Biddulph st Previously District school. the cornerstone was laid by Charles Warren, Landdros of harrismith, on 23 May 1898.
St John the Baptist Anglican Church
Warden st - The cornerstone was laid by H.R.H. Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn on 19 February 1906.
House 36A Boys St
House 36A Boys St – declared a Provincial Heritage Site
British War Graves cemetery
British War Graves cemetery – Greyling st cnr Murray St – Various obelisks were erected commemorates the British soldiers who fell during the ABW 1899-1902. (boers -see harrismith rural exploration
Concentration Camp memorial
Concentration Camp memorial – Cemetery, - Commemorates the 193 women and children who died in the Harrismith Concentration camp during the ABW 1899-1902
Grave Basuto War
- Grave Basuto War, cemetery – One depicts the grave of Hendrik Oosterwald Dreyer who died on 29 March 1866 in the Basuto War
Fire Hydrant and Horse Railings
Fire Hydrant and Horse Railings – opp Town Hall
Hamilton Bridge
Hamilton Bridge, on Rd to Bethlehem over Wilge River – The bridge was opened by Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, Governor of the Orange Ricer Colony on 2 August 1907. A new bridge was built in 2018.
Railway Station
Railway Station – The railway line from Van Reenen reached Harrismith on 12 July 1892.
Wesley Hall
Wesley Hall, Warden St – The hall dated 16 May 1906. The cornerstone was laid by Mrs T James on 17 January 1906.
Tom’s Place Guest House
Tom’s Place Guest House, 69 Stuart st Prior the place was known as the assembly rooms. The property was bought by a Mr Gilbert who built the house in 1907.The house was purchased by Tom Searle in April 1940.
Blockhouse, Botanical gardens
Blockhouse, Botanical gardens – Erected by the British during the ABW 1899-1902. Declared a National Monument on 31 August 1983.
House, Warden st
House, Warden st
42 Stuart st
42 Stuart St
Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel
REFERENCES
New Dictionary of South African Place Names – Peter E Raper – 2004
Historic Sites of South Africa – Deirdre Richardson – 2001
Artefacts
Historical Buildings in South Africa – Dersiree Piocton Seymour – 1989
Spore oor die Veld – Boon Boonzaaier - 2008