NEWCASTLE
Newcastle was established in 1864, proclaimed a town in 1882 and a borough 1891. It was named after the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State for the colonies. The railway line from Durban reached Newcastle in 1890. During the ABW of 1899-1902 the Boers occupied Newcastle for a short period and renamed it Viljoensdorp after General Ben Viljoen.
Laingsnek Railway Tunnel
Laingsnek Railway Tunnel, between Newcastle and Charlestown – 1891-. Wagstaffe & Co. were contracted to build the tunnel. The headings met on the 24th of January 1891, allowing the Stone Masons to build fine facings to the tunnel openings. The tunnel is a full 674 metres long. This pass (named ‘Lang’s Nek’ after local farmer Henry Lang) gave its name to the railway tunnel. On the 14th of October 1891 Sir Henry Loch the High Commissioner to the Cape and Sir Charles Mitchell, Governor of Natal, officially opened the tunnel to rail traffic. At the commencement of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War in 1899, the Boers invaded Natal. The British advance of 1900 prevented the Boers from damaging the tunnel. They hurriedly dynamited the two entrances to the tunnel, shattering the first 200 feet of the tunnels on either side. Workers quickly cleared the rubble from the line and tunnel. The tunnel was used until 1984 when a new tunnel was constructed to the west.
The Old Armory
The Old Armory, cnr Scott and Hardwick Streets. Circa 1860-1870 – This building was built as an arsenal for the defence of the area around Newcastle. It was used as a mobilisation post during WW1 and WW11. This building was declared a National Monument. Currently used as a MOTH Shellhole named Monte Stanco.
Hilldrop House
Hilldrop House, 15 Hilldrop Road – Circa 1875 – This house was occupied by Sir Henry Rider Haggard 1875 – 1881 whereafter he returned to England. H Rider Haggard was a wellknown novelist. One famous book written by him was “King Solomon’s Mines. The house was also used to ratify the Peace Treaty for the Independence of the Transvaal in 1881. This house was declared a National Monument. The house is now a guest house named Haggards.
City Hall
City Hall, Scott Street. This building was erected in 1897 to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. This building was declared a National Monument.
Stables at Hilldrop House
Stables at Hilldrop House – This was the stables where H Rider Haggard kept his beloved horse Moresco. The hose was stolen for a time but re-united with its owner. The horse died in his owner’s arms.
O’Neil’s Cottage
O’Neil’s Cottage, main road between Newcastle and Charlestown at the foot of the Amajuba Mountain – circa 1870. At the time of the Battle of Amajuba - 1st ABW - this house belonged to RC O’Neil. The signing of the Peace Treaty was done in this cottage on 21 March 1881. This house was proclaimed a National Monument in 1941.
Fort Mistake
Biggarsberg - N11 between Newcastle and Ladysmith – Officially named Fort One Tree Hill – built in 1881 just after the battle of Majuba, prior to the peace treaty. This fort was to serve as a signal station should the first ABW continue. The name Fort Mistake was given by the local inhabitants as according to them the clumsiness of the British Army. It was declared a National Monument in 1979.
Botha's - Pass
Botha's pass over the Drakensberg between Newcastle and Memel. Small shops at foothills of the pass.
