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KESTELL
It was laid out on the farms Mooifontein and Driekiuil in 1905. Named after the Reverend John Daniel Kestell (1854-1941), minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. It attained municipal status in 1909.
Dutch Reformed Church
Dutch Reformed Church, Church St – Designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk. Erected in 1926 by the builder F Barker. The cornerstone was laid by Rev EPJ Smit on 9 October 1926. It was inaugurated on 31 March 1928. It is the second largest sandstone church in the Free State. In front of the church is a Voortrekker centenary monument of 1938.
Sandstone House
Sandstone House, Olivier St – Probably built by Dr AC Hunter who bought the property in 1911.
Hall
Hall – The cornerstone was laid by the Mayor CJ Duminy on 22 February 1919.
Standard Bank Building
Standard Bank Building, 15 Olivier st – circa 1923
Stone dwellings
Various houses in the town was built from sandstone.
Kestell Hotel
Kestell Hotell- Blignaut St - circa 1905
Battle of Groenkop
Battle of Groenkop, 20 km on road to Reitz on the farm Tweefontein. The battle took place on 25 December 1901 when General Christiaan De Wet’s troops defeated a British column during the ABW (1899-1902). This was the final failure of the British standard methods. The British lost 142 (67 killed) and 240 were taken prisoner whom were released the next day. 25 Black people were also killed in action. The Boers lost 44 men (15 killed). A bronze bust is just a few metres below the obelisk which commemorates the fallen Boers
REFERENCES
New Dictionary of South African Place Names – Peter E Raper – 2004
Historic Sites of South Africa – Deirdre Richardson – 2001
Field guide to the Battlefields of South Africa – Nicki von der Heyde - 2014
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