Voortrekker Fort, Elandsfontein

For the fort in Ohrigstad, see Voortrekker Fort, Ohrigstad.

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 former National Monuments Council states that the fort was built "for the protection of families with the view of possible departure of a commando against the British troops from Natal".[1][2]

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.[3][4][5]

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

• List of Castles and Fortifications in South Africa
• Great trek
• Voortrekkers
• List of heritage sites in North West

References

1. "Merafong Tour Guide-Heritage Sites". merafongtourism.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
2. The web source quoted uses the term 'commander' which is clearly a misspelling or typographical error and should read 'commando'. A fort of this nature, in South Africa at the time would have been used by a 'commando', ie: an informal regiment. See Commando if in doubt.
3. "Stream and lake sediment and water geochemical maps, Glace Bay, Cape Breton Municipality - Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia". 1986. doi:10.4095/130111. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
4. "Voortrekker Fort (?) (Farm Elandsfontein), Potchefstroom". artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
5. Erasmus, B. P. J. (2014-06-06). On Route in South Africa: Explore South Africa region by region. Jonathan Ball Publishers. ISBN 978-1-920289-80-5.

External links

• Site by Voortrekker Fort, Elandsfontein, Potchefstroom District , at SAHRA