The village of Jacobsdal is located 154 km west of Bloemfontein and approximately 15 km from the Northern Cape border. Much of the town’s history is linked with the Anglo Boer War and it’s devastating effects, evidence of which is to be found in the many monuments and memorials in the surrounding areas. This attractive little town also boasts two wine cellars, the Landzicht Wine Cellar and Wilreza Wine Cellar, whose products have won many local awards since it’s inception. The town was named after Christoffel Jacobs on whose farm Kalkfontein the town was established in 1858. The Riet River irrigation scheme is located 3 km from town. Jacobsdal boasts three processing plants, a peanut butter factory, two wineries and an abattoir where 800 to 1000 sheep are slaughtered daily.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Bloemfontein 154 km, Kimberley 60 km

Banks – Fnb

Rivers – Modder, Riet

HISTORICAL VIEW

Burger Monument

In front of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was erected in memory of those who died at the battle of Roodelaagte (Graspan) on 25 November 1899.

British Blockhouse (Fort)

The blockhouse with it’s unique architecture was build in 1900, on the road to Paardeberg. It was declared a national monument in 1983.

British Graves – View on the farm Poortjie

Cairn (Klipstapel)

It was erected by the Boers from Jacobsdal in October 1899 before departing for the battle of Roodelaagte (Graspan). Each boer engraved his name or initials on a stone and these stones were used to build the monument. The monument can be reached via a short trail leading from the Agricultural School.

Dutch Reformed Church

Consecrated in 1879 and enlarged in 1930, the church was used as a hospital during the Anglo Boer War. Bullet holes can still be seen on the front door, and serves as evidence of the heavy fighting in the area. The church was declared a national monument.

Farm De Vlakte - Large number of bushmen engravings (San Rock Art).

Farm Pootjie – British graveyard on farm

Grave – Col Hannay

Jacobsdal Cemetery

The oldest graves dates from 1859. British war graves and monuments dating from the Anglo Boer War can also be found. The remains of some of the Boers who fought and died at Magerfontein were reburied at Magersfontein in 1969, including that of Commandant DS Lubbe.

Jacobsdal Farmhouse

It is the first dwelling that was erected in the area. It was build by CJ Jacobs. The house is situated in Sarel Cilliers St. next to First National Bank

Lookout Post

Overlooking the battlefield at Oskoppies and one at the site of the Boer Laager.

Magersfontein Battlefield and Museum

20 km northwest of Jacobsdal. The battlefield and a number of memorial sites were declared national monuments. The memorials include, amongst others, a Celtic cross in in memory of those from the Highlands Regiment who died here and a granite memorial commemorating the Scandinavians who lost their lives fighting on the side of the Boers. The Magersfontein memorial, where the Boer dead were re interred in 1969, is located nearby. It is told that, on the night of 11 December every year, one can still hear the eerie and haunting playing of a Scottish bagpiper who died here in battle – the battle took place on this day in 1899.

Old Market Square

The market square was where the city hall is today and was used as a British laager. A battle took place here on 25 October 1900. Boers filled at the British from behind a stone wall, which can still be seen today.

Paardeberg (18 – 27 February 1900)

Rostrevor

On the N12 main road south of Kimberley. Rostrevor is a historical farm, brought in 1952 by Harry Oppenheimer (of Anglo American Fame) with the purpose of farming with horses. Vineyards can be visited

San Rock Engravings – Farm De Vlakte

‘Tuishuis’

The old fashioned dwelling, still adorned with the original wallpaper, was used by it’s owners (usually from outlying farms) only on weekends when attending church services. It is situated directly opposite the southern entrance to the Dutch Reformed Church.

NATURE

Grootfontein Private Nature Reserve

Approximately 20 km from Jacobsdal. Hiking trails, game viewing, hunting packages and mounting of trophies

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Annual Water Festival

Wine Festival – February

Jacobsdal Abattoir and Feeding Lots

On the Perdeberg road opposite the British Blockhouse. Up to 1500 sheep are slaughtered daily.

Landzicht Wine Cellar

Tours can be arranged for up to 50 people which includes wine tasting. A lapa and barbeque facilities are available for open air events

Riet River Irrigation Scheme

Visit Orange Riet River Canal and view large water balance dam

Smitsdrift Ostrich Farm - It is on your way to Perdeberg, visits can be arranged

Wilreza Wine Cellar and Lapa

Restaurant, pizza and steak, open during weekends and on request, follow signs from Kimberley road and accommodation bed and breakfast, reservations are required on weekdays for groups of ten or more.

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

Fishing, Game Viewing, Hiking, Hunting

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