BEAUFORT – WEST
Established in 1818 on the farm Hooyvlakte. Named by Lord Charles Somerset, Governor of the Cape (1814-1826), after his father, the fifth Duke of Beaufort. It became a municipality on 3 February 1837, thus the oldest municipality in South Africa. The ‘West’ was added later to distinguish it from Fort Beaufort and Port Beaufort in the Eastern Cape. Known as the capital of the Karoo.
DR Church
DR Church, Donkin St – Designed by Charles Freeman and built in 1892. The cornerstone dated October 1892. Next to the church is a monument in commemoration of Albert Zum in 1901.Declared a National Monument on 7 August 1970.
DR Mission Parsonage, 91 Donkin St
DR Mission Parsonage, 91 Donkin St – also known as the “Barnard Parsonage’. The parsonage of Rev AH Barnard serving from 1911-1948. The birthplace of the heart surgeons Professor Christiaan Barnard (Heart surgeon of the first heart transplant) and his brother Dr Marius Barnard. Dated 1868. Declared a National monument on 22 February 1980.
DR Mission Church, 89 Donkin St
DR Mission Church, 89 Donkin St – mission church from 1872 – 1966. The cornerstone was laid on 4 May 1871. The building was completed in December 1872. The building contractor was Adriaan Ventura. The minister was Rev Barnard. Declared a National monument on 22 February 1980.
Old Town Hall
Old Town Hall, cnr Donkin and Church St – Built in 1865/7. The architect was James Bisset from Cape Town. Now a museum to Dr Chris Barnard. Declared a National Monument on 12 March 1965.
Old Library
Old Library, Church St – Dated 1906. Declared a National Monument on 10 September 1982.
Girl’s Public School
Girl’s Public School, Church St – It was built in 1879 and remodelled in circa 1900. Declared a National Monument on 26 June 1981.
Beaufort West Club
Beaufort West Club, 40 Donkin St – The only gabled building in town with woodwork
Business building Donkin St
Business building Donkin St – Opp Church – the building has a chamfered corner entrance with an octagonal turret and cast-iron balustrades.
Post office
Post office, Donkin St
DR Church hall
DR Church hall, Church St – The cornerstone was laid on 5 July 1913
Christ Church
Christ Church, Donkin St – It was built in 1854 by Alexander Cormack. The architect was Sophy Gray, wife of Bishop Gray of Cape Town. It was consecrated by Bishop Gray on 21 October 1855.
