Barberton
At the foot of the Makonjwa Mountains. Named after brothers Fred and Henry Barber and cousin Graham Hoare Barber who discovered a rich gold-bearing reef there in 1884. Named Barberton by the Gold Commissioner David Wilson. It was administered by a health committee from 1902 and became a municipality in 1904.
Memorial stone Rimer’s Creek
Memorial stone Rimer’s Creek – In front of the museum – Pilgrim St – After the discovery of gold by the Barbers, the gold commissioner declared a township at the base of Umvoti Creek by breaking a bottle of Gin on 24 July 1884. The choice for the town was between Barberton or Rimerton. Umvoti Creek was henceforth known as Rimer’s Creek.
Blockhouse
Blockhouse – cnr Judge and Lee roads – Dated 1901 – was constructed by the British during the Anglo Boer War. It was manned by the Barberton Town Guard which consisted by volunteers under the command of JW Winter. Declared a National Monument on 9 Marc1979.
Belhaven house
Belhaven house – Lee Rd – built 1n 1904 – a prefabricated house with corrugated iron outer walls. First occupied by the Nisbit family. Kathleen Nisbit worked at the “American Bar” in 1890. Now a museum. Declared a National Monument on 27 May 1988.
Fernlea House
Fernlea House – wood and iron house. Was built for Mrs Emily Fernandez early 1890’s. She married Thomas Lee. Now a museum houses an exhibition about Rimer’s Creek.
Stopforth House
Stopforth House – Bowness st – This wood and iron house and outbuildings were erected by James S Stopforth, a baker and general dealer, in 1886. It was occupied by the Stopforth family until 1983. Declared a National Monument on 8 February 1985.
Anglican Church
Anglican Church – General Str – this building replaced a wood and iron building. The cornerstone was laid in 1924. A memorial plaque dedicated to the Barbers is at the front entrance
Old Stock Exchange
Old Stock Exchange – Pilgrim St – With the discovery of gold there was a trade in shares. This was the second stock exchange in SA. This building was occupied by the De Kaap Gold Fields Stock Exchange Limited on 13 April 1887. Sammy Marks bought the building 1n 1899 and taken over by the Municipality in 1910. The building deteriorated and was partly demolished. Only the façade was preserved. Declared a national Monument on 28 August 1965.
Barberton Club hitching posts
Barberton Club hitching posts – The original Barberton Club burned down and was replaced. The original hitching posts, where the horses were tethered remains in front of the building.
Lewis and Marks Building (ETC Building)
Lewis and Marks Building (ETC Building) – Pilgrim St – The oldest existing multi-storing building in Transvaal. This office building was built for Sammy marks and his cousin Isaac Lewis in 1887. They establish a company in the field of mining, agriculture and industry. Declared a National Monument on 20 February 1981.
Jock of the Bushveld Statue
Jock of the Bushveld Statue – In front of the Town Hall, General St – The dog of Percy Fitzpatrick during his days as a transport rider from 1884 ending in 1889 at Barberton. Sculptured by Ivan Mitford-Barberton and unveiled by Mrs Mackie-Niven, the daughter of Fitzpatrick. Moved to this spot in 1984. Fitzpatrick described his and Jock’s travels in his book “Jock of the Bushve
Town Hall
Town Hall – General St – The cornerstone was laid by on 1924.
English Lodge
English Lodge – General St opposite Town Hall – This Masonic temple was built in 1884.
Todd House
Todd House – opp Keller Park – This house was built by the Todd family in 1887.
War Memorial
War Memorial – Next to the Magistrate’s Court, de Villiers St – A memorial to those of Barberton who fell during the two world wars. A plaque was added to commemorates those who died on the SS Mendi, which sank in the Mediterranean Sea during WW1. The memorial was unveiled by The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of South Africa on 9 June 1924.
Nuwe Apostoliese kerk
Steam Locomotive
Steam Locomotive – General St – Manufactured in 1898 by the firm Nelson & Co for the Cape Government Railways. These types of locomotives were used on the Kaapmuiden-Barberton railway line. This locomotive came on its own steam from Port Elizabeth in 1971.
Cemetery
Cemetery – Gospel st – A memorial to the 216 women and children who died in the Concentration Camp during the 2nd ABW was erected here
Cable Way
Cable Way – completed in 1939 this 52-tower cable way was transporting asbestos over 20 km from the Havelock Asbestos mine in Swaziland to the railway station of Barberton. This is no longer in use as the mine was closed due to the need for asbestos declined
