Like most towns in South Africa, Albertinia was founded by the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1908 a big diamond was discovered at nearby Aasvoelberg - literally Vulture Mountain - but no further finds were recorded. The town became known for its ochre and kaolin mines and is also the centre of the aloe products industry.

Most of the country's roof thatching material comes from the Albertinia district. Albertinia is the home of a well-known hotel, where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a lavish Sunday lunch, while just outside the town one passes the famous Bukkenburg Welsh pony stud.

The town was named after the reverend J.R. Albertyn of Riversdale, who planned the establishment of a separate church community. On the 10th of September 1898 the church council of Riversdale bought the farm Grootfontein from a Mrs H. Lourens.

A rectory was built by the congregation of Riversdale, and on 17th February 1900 a minister, the reverend DJ Malan was ordained. Albertinia was proclaimed a town on 18 November 1904.

The map reference for Albertinia is 34.11° South and 21.35° East. Annual rainfall is approximately between 200 and 250 millimetres, with a winter average of 150mm. Vegetation is evergreen bush and shrubs and scanty grassland, with certain areas fynbos and protea, and Aloe ferox in abundance. There also are large deposits of kaolin and ochre (red and yellow). Agriculture plays the major role with the cultivation of grain (wheat and oats), dairy farming, sheep and cattle farming.

The mining of red and yellow ochre started in 1925 by WR van AS, although first noticed as far back as 1797 by Sir John Barrow.

Today it is the principal source of ochre in the Republic of South Africa. Exports are world wide. The natural earth colour is used in the manufacture of paints and to colour linoleum and cement.