The historic buildings of Oudtshoorn

This walk records the history of Oudtshoorn’s sandstone streetscape. Each numbered marker on the street has a page here with the same text you would read on the plaque.

29 markers on two streets, on buildings put up between 1860 and 1965, with 41 photographs from the walk's own records.

High Street

Seventeen numbered markers between the Dutch Reformed Church and the top of the block.

  1. The church under scaffolding during construction 01

    Dutch Reformed Church

    Church & High Streets · Consecrated 1879

    Corner site
  2. The magistrate’s offices and courthouse, seen down High Street 02

    Former Magistrate’s Offices

    Church & High Streets · 1912

    Corner site
  3. The bank on the corner, its main door set to face both streets 03

    ABC Bank Building

    136 High Street · est. 1897

    Even side
  4. Die Pastorie, the parsonage at 141 High Street 04

    Dutch Reformed Church Parsonage

    141 High Street · 1881

    Odd side
  5. The Cottage Hospital on its corner, later the first CP Nel Museum 05

    The Cottage Hospital

    144 High Street · 1880–1914

    Even side
  6. De Avond Rust behind its gateposts 06

    De Avond Rust

    145 High Street · 1927

    Odd side
  7. The Le Roux Town House, built 1909 07

    Le Roux Town House Museum

    146 High Street · 1909

    Even side
  8. Sandstone walling in the older part of town 08

    Ode to Stone

    High Street · 2005

    Corner site
  9. Dorpshuis on the corner of High Street 09

    Dorpshuis Antique Shop

    148 High Street · 1880

    Even side
  10. 151 High Street, set back behind its garden 10

    151 High Street

    151 High Street · Late 1880’s

    Odd side
  11. The entrance to the Cango Masonic Lodge in Rus Street 11

    Cango Masonic Lodge

    Rus Street · 1896

    Corner site
  12. The Leuner Residence and its portico 12

    Leuner Residence

    153 High Street · Late 1800’s

    Odd side
  13. The corner building, divided into three apartments in the 1940s 13

    Corner Apartments

    150 – 154 High Street · Late-Victorian

    Even side
  14. 157 – 159 High Street, semi-detached under one roof 14

    Semi-detached Victorian Residence

    157 – 159 High Street · 1847

    Odd side
  15. 156 High Street, with its Cape Dutch Revival gables 15

    156 High Street

    156 High Street · Cape Dutch Revival

    Even side
  16. 161 High Street, with the verandah that shades it 16

    Former Home of Dr & Mrs Garnett Nel

    161 High Street · 1880–1914

    Odd side
  17. The house on the corner, in simple Karoo style 17

    Private Residence

    160–162 High Street · Possibly 1860’s

    Even side

Baron van Reede Street

Twelve markers along the old Queen Street, from the mill to the feather palaces.

  1. A Queen Street Roller Flour & Feed Mills invoice, made out by Walter Thomas 1

    Thomas’ Mill, Miller’s House & Walmer House

    39–41 Baron van Reede Street · 1880 – 1914

    Baron van Reede Street
  2. The Prince, Vintcent & Co. departmental store on the corner 2

    Prince, Vintcent & Co.

    Church & Baron van Reede Streets · 1887

    On the corner
  3. The interior, with its oak pews and carved pulpit 3

    Presbyterian Church

    Church & Baron van Reede Streets · 1921

    On the corner
  4. The Standard Bank building, designed by Charles Bullock 4

    Church Street

    Church & Baron van Reede Streets · 1880 - 1920

    On the corner
  5. 1891: Rev. Stegmann’s wagon, built by Deas Brothers for a missionary expedition to Rhodesia 5

    Deas Brothers

    Church & Baron van Reede Streets · 1875

    On the corner
  6. The single 91-metre span across the Grobbelaars River 6

    Suspension Bridge

    Church Street · 1914

    Church Street
  7. The tombstone of Alfred Morris, the first rector 7

    St Jude’s Anglican Church

    61 Baron van Reede Street · 1863

    Baron van Reede Street
  8. Gentlemen of the Jewish community, who played a prominent role in society 8

    Tuishuis

    63 Baron van Reede Street · 1890’s

    Baron van Reede Street
  9. Wedding photograph of Mr Lind’s daughter to Mr Howes, 1904, on the steps of the house 9

    Gottland House

    63 Baron van Reede Street · 1902 – 1914

    Baron van Reede Street
  10. Ornamental glass, produced in Germany, at the end of one arm of the cross 10

    St Saviour’s Cathedral

    80 Baron van Reede Street · 1965

    Baron van Reede Street
  11. Laying the foundation stone of the Queen Street synagogue, 1888 11

    The Queen Street Synagogue

    83 Baron van Reede Street · 1888

    Baron van Reede Street
  12. Mimosa Lodge, with the roof-turret that was Bullock’s favourite feature 12

    Mimosa Lodge

    85 Baron van Reede Street · 1907

    Baron van Reede Street

Every photograph on the walk

41 pictures, all of them carried by the markers themselves.