Smithfield Free State Siouth Africa

Smithfield is a small town in the Free State Province of South Africa. Smithfield is the third oldest village in Free State. Places to visit are the Caledon river museum, the Carmel and Beersheba missionary posts. Smithfield is a village that is experiencing something of a revival, with more and more houses being renovated and a renewed interest in the place seems to evolve.

Peaceful, splendidly vast, unpolluted countryside abounds around historic Smithfield, tucked neatly into a horseshoe of hills. Established in 1848 and named after Sir Harry Smith, then Governor of the Cape, Smithfield is the third oldest town in the Free State Province. Originally an important wool-growing area, in recent times its position astride major tourist routes, have lent impetus to its growing role in tourism.

The many hills surrounding Smithfield are ideal for hiking, walking horse-riding and birding in splendid isolation. You can ride for miles on local secondary roads ideal for mountain bikes. With no industry to pollute the environment and little distraction from town lights and the crystal clear night skies are stunningly beautiful. The Smithfield golf course dates back more than 100 years and is widely rated as an unusually attractive country course. Its facilities are open to our guests, as are local tennis and bowls clubs.

Kilometer upon kilometer of silvery savanna, a sprinkling of blesbok and the odd zebra. Prepare you for a change of pace as you fly off the main road to Colesberg and head towards the tiny town of Smithfield in the Free State. Smithfield lies 132-km southeast of Bloemfontein on the national road to Port Elizabeth. Smithfield has a small population of approximately 4,500. It is a prosperous wool-growing district with a large number of cattle as well.

Archaeologically, the name Smithfield is well known because one of the most important Stone Age cultures was named after the town. George Stow, a renowned scientist, excavated a cave near Smithfield in 1877. He found tools from the Late Stone Age and described them in his book, "Native races of South Africa."

There are wonderful Bushmen paintings in the hills near the town. "Ou Grietjie,"a cannon used by the Free State in the Basuto wars, has been mounted in front of the magistrates office. It was named after Margaret (Grietjie), wife of the gunner Robert Finlay.

The Free State’s third oldest town is situated 73 km southeast of Reddersburg. This sheep and cattle farming community was established in 1848, and named after Sir Harry Smith, the then Governor of the Cape Colony. The streets and sights of Smithfield are an unqualified delight. Rows of Karoo style houses, the original town market square, the historical South African Police building and a congenial community evoke a serene effect of timelessness. The area saw much fighting between the first white settlers and the Basotho, which eventually led to the three Basotho Wars in 1858, 1865 and 1867.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bloemfontein 132 km (south on the N6 and R701), Reddersburg 73 km

Average Rainfall: 15 mm per year

Average Temperatures - Summer 38°c; Winter -5°c

Banks – Absa, Standard

Dams – Smithfield

Rivers – Caledon

HISTORICAL VIEW

Basotho War Memorial

In memory of those who lost their lives in Basotho Wars, in front of the City Hall

Bersheeba

48 km northeast of town. Two French missionaries established this farm in 1828. The Swanepoel family acquired the property in 1856. The homestead boasts 18 rooms and passages 3 m wide.

Birthplace of Christiaan de Wet (1854 – 1922)

On the farm Leeukop. The house has been declared a national monument

Caledon River Museum

Exhibits include a display in memory of General Christiaan de Wet (1854 – 1922), an 18^th century kitchen and a wool-washery dating to 1866. the museum is also home to ‘Ou Grietjie’, a muzzle – loading ship’s cannon used by the Free Staters in all the Basotho Wars. The cannon was named after Margaret (Grietjie) Finlay, wife of the gunner, Robert Finlay. The cannon was last used in 1868 in the onslaught on Thaba Bosiu, stronghold of Moshweshwe.

Carmel Missionary Stations - 43 km southwest of Smithfield

Karoo House - Which is a National Monument, now a guest house

Market Square

‘Ou Grietjie’

A muzzle – loading ship’s cannon used in most of the wars against the Basotho. During the visit of Prince Albert, the son of Queen Victoria, in 1860, it was decided to fire a gun salute using ‘Ou Grietjie’. After igniting the the wick, and to the dismay of the crowd, nothing happened. Inspecting the cannon, the two gunners peared down the barrel and were instantly killed when the shot went off precisely at that time.

Old School Building

The first school in the Orange Free State was established here in 1848. the school buildings, erected in 1850, still stands today and is the home of the museum curator.

Robertson War Memorial
San Rock Art - Various sites in the hill surrounding the town

Traacha Wool Washing Works

A few kilometers outside town, on the western banks of the Groenspruit, lies the remains of the rather unique Traacha Wool Washing Works. Established in 1866 as a wool washing works and wheat mill owned by Lucas Erasmus. The unique foot- washing method (cold water) was later replaced by a stream washery. This was almost certainly the only one of it’s kind in the Free State at the time. It was known for the high standard of it’s washed wool. In 1894 the farm was sold, and all that remains today of this once active industry is a crumbling brick tower.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Stokstert Hiking Trail

Caledon River Conservancy, two day trail (24 km), accommodation for 20 people in two bungalows – beds and mattresses available. Braai facilities at the overnight stops.

Hill Trails – Just outside town

Sports – Bowls, Golf, Soccer, Tennis

Accommodation in and around Winklespruit