Voortrekker Fort, Elandsfontein

Voortrekker Fort
"Elandsfontein Fort"
Elandsfontein farm, Potchefstroom District, South Africa
Type Dry Wall construction
Site information
Controlled by  South Africa
Open to
the public		 Private property
Condition Ruined
Site history
Built 1842 (1842)
Materials Local stone
Events Great Trek
Garrison information
Past
commanders		 Commandant General A.M. Potgieter
Garrison Local Voortrekker families

The Voortrekker Fort situated on the farm, Elandsfontein, was constructed by the Voortrekkers under Commandant General A.M. Potgieter in 1842. A commemorative tablet of the National Monuments Commission states that the fort was built "for the protection of families with the view of possible departure of a commander against the British troops from Natal".[1]

History

According to tradition, this stone fort was built by the Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Hendrik Potgieter. It was presumably erected in 1842 to serve as a shelter for women and children in case the men had to leave for Port Natal to assist the Voortrekkers there against a British invasion.[2][3]

The fort was built of stone and was about 24 m long and 12 m wide with embrasures at the corners to provide enfilading fire. The walls must have been about 1,5 m high. There are two roads that lead to Fochville from the national road between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. The more southerly of these roads, the main route from Potchefstroom to Fochville, crosses the farm Elandsfontein where the ruins of this Voortrekker Fort.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Merafong Tour Guide-Heritage Sites". merafongtourism.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  2. ↑ Richardson, M. Personal communication. 1985.
  3. ↑ "Voortrekker Fort (?) (Farm Elandsfontein), Potchefstroom". artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-29.

External links

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