Loeriesfontein, Northern Cape
Encyclopedia
Loeriesfontein is a small town in the Northern Cape
of South Africa. It falls within what is known as the Hantam region.
), turning off on the R27 at Van Rhynsdorp to Nieuwoudtville, then following the R357 to Loeriesfontein (a further 65 km north).
, England. The store still exists. It is currently owned by Victor Haupt, the grandson of Fredrick Turner. The shop is currently called Turner & Haupt SPAR, and is 113 years in the family.
Southwestern Loeriesfontein forms part of the wider region known as Namaqualand
, an area well known for its spring flowers (August and September) and its great variety of different plants - some 4,000 varieties are said to be evident in this region. The flowers attract visitors to the region, but at other times activities centre around agriculture (sheep) and mining (salt).
was well known for his interest in different aspects of conservation, including the conservation of water-pumping windmills or windpump
s. He wrote a book on this subject with the late Mr André Pretorius ("Windpumps in South Africa", published by Human and Rousseau in 1998 but currently out of print). In order to share this collected knowledge with a wider audience, he invited potentially interested organisations and places to start a windpump museum. The Fred Turner museum at Loeriesfontein was the only respondent. Since its establishment there, the museum team and interested persons all over South Africa have sponsored and collected 27 windpumps, now assembled and on display.
Like the Windmill Museum, the folk and culture museum is only opened by arrangement outside the flower season. Visitors are recommended to make enquiries before visiting outside the spring months.
are salt pans (dwaggas) that are still in production.
is well established and takes place in October. It has status at the provincial and national levels, and focuses on sheep and saddle horses.
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of an international park shared with Botswana...
of South Africa. It falls within what is known as the Hantam region.
Location
The town of Loeriesfontein is within a basin surrounded by mountains, and it is accessed from the N7 highway (north out of Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
), turning off on the R27 at Van Rhynsdorp to Nieuwoudtville, then following the R357 to Loeriesfontein (a further 65 km north).
Local government
Loeriesfontein became a municipality in 1958, but it has since lost that status in a re-organization of municipal responsibilities that incorporated it into Hantam Municipality.History and context
The town grew around a general store established in 1894 by a travelling bible salesman, named Fredrick Turner, the son of the sister of Charles Spurgeon. He came from NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, England. The store still exists. It is currently owned by Victor Haupt, the grandson of Fredrick Turner. The shop is currently called Turner & Haupt SPAR, and is 113 years in the family.
Southwestern Loeriesfontein forms part of the wider region known as Namaqualand
Namaqualand
Namaqualand is an arid region of Namibia and South Africa, extending along the west coast over and covering a total area of 170,000 square miles/440,000 km². It is divided by the lower course of the Orange River into two portions - Little Namaqualand to the south and Great Namaqualand to the...
, an area well known for its spring flowers (August and September) and its great variety of different plants - some 4,000 varieties are said to be evident in this region. The flowers attract visitors to the region, but at other times activities centre around agriculture (sheep) and mining (salt).
Windmill Museum
The late Dr Walton, a British born CapetonianCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
was well known for his interest in different aspects of conservation, including the conservation of water-pumping windmills or windpump
Windpump
A windpump is a windmill used for pumping water, either as a source of fresh water from wells, or for draining low-lying areas of land. Once a common fixture on farms in semi-arid areas, windpumps are still used today where electric power is not available or too expensive.-History:Windmills were...
s. He wrote a book on this subject with the late Mr André Pretorius ("Windpumps in South Africa", published by Human and Rousseau in 1998 but currently out of print). In order to share this collected knowledge with a wider audience, he invited potentially interested organisations and places to start a windpump museum. The Fred Turner museum at Loeriesfontein was the only respondent. Since its establishment there, the museum team and interested persons all over South Africa have sponsored and collected 27 windpumps, now assembled and on display.
Fred Turner folk and culture museum
The culture and historical way of life of the "Trek Farmers" of Namaqualand (also known as Bushmanland or Hantam) is displayed in this museum which is housed in the old school adjacent to the Windmill display (which is in what was the school playground). More than 1000 items are on display, including a trek wagon, equipped tent, kook skerm and a horse mill.Like the Windmill Museum, the folk and culture museum is only opened by arrangement outside the flower season. Visitors are recommended to make enquiries before visiting outside the spring months.
Salt pans
100 km from Loeriesfontein in the spacious plains of BushmanlandBushmanland
Bushmanland is a name applied to two different territories; one in Namibia and one in South Africa. Though they have points of resemblance, they do not adjoin....
are salt pans (dwaggas) that are still in production.
Quiver trees
Large quiver trees (sometimes referred to as "Aloes") can be seen on the road from Nieuwoudtville to LouriesfonteinEvents
Flowers in season
The area is famous for the display of wild flowers in the season, principally during August and September. This is the time when most visitors come to the area.Thanksgiving Weekend
The annual Thanksgiving Weekend - in the form of a traditional church fête, takes place on the first weekend of the September/October school holiday.Agricultural show
An annual agricultural showAgricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
is well established and takes place in October. It has status at the provincial and national levels, and focuses on sheep and saddle horses.