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At the end of the fourth frontier war between the Xhosa tribe and white settlers, Sir John Cradock, Governor of the Cape, thought there was a need for two new frontier strongholds.
He built Grahamstown in the east and Cradock in the northeast. The town of Cradock was founded on the banks of the Great Fish River in 1812.
The original farm homestead was converted into a jail and other official buildings were added as the need arose. |
The original Dutch Reformed Church, which dominates the town, was built as a duplicate of St Martins-in-the-field in London.
The architectural style was apparently chosen as an antidote to the homesickness suffered by the Minister's wife who came from London.
The consecration ceremony of the church was delayed by an hour as the builder refused to hand over the keys to the church until he was paid in full.
A hat was hurriedly passed around and the money raised with pledges and notes.
Today the town is a centre for production of wool, mohair, beef, lucerne, dairy and fruit.
The hot sulphur springs have been developed into a resort frequented by people with rheumatism and similar disabilities.
The town itself is a goldmine of national monuments, interesting sights and friendly people.
Cradock has a healthy climate, with hot summers, bracing cold winters and a low rainfall. It is the lack of rain that provides the magnificent view of the stars at night and the glorious sun rises and sunsets one associates with a desert.
Tourism prospers in Cradock because of its historical past (the Great Trek started in Cradock and its surrounding districts) and the geographical position makes Cradock an ideal stop – over for the traveler en-route to the major centres.
How to get to Cradock...
Cradock is situated on the N10, almost halfway between Port Elizabeth and Colesberg. The nearest Airport is at Port Elizabeth, which is 250km away.
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