Voortrekker Fort, Elandsfontein

The Voortrekker Fort situated on the farm, Elandsfontein, was constructed by the Voortrekkers under Commandant General A.M. Potgieter in 1842. A commemorative tablet of the former National Monuments Council states that the fort was built "for the protection of families with the view of possible departure of a commando against the British troops from Natal".[1][2]

Voortrekker Fort
"Elandsfontein Fort"
Elandsfontein farm, Potchefstroom District, South Africa
TypeDry Wall construction
Site information
Controlled by South Africa
Open to
the public		Private property
ConditionRuined
Site history
Built1842 (1842)
MaterialsLocal stone
EventsGreat Trek
Garrison information
Past
commanders		Commandant General A.M. Potgieter
GarrisonLocal Voortrekker families

History

According to tradition, this stone fort was built by the Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Hendrik Potgieter. It was presumably erected in 1842 to serve as a shelter for women and children in case the men had to leave for Port Natal to assist the Voortrekkers there against a British invasion.[3]

The fort was built of stone and was about 24 m long and 12 m wide with embrasures at the corners to provide enfilading fire. The walls must have been about 1,5 m high. There are two roads that lead to Fochville from the national road between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. The more southerly of these roads, the main route from Potchefstroom to Fochville, crosses the farm Elandsfontein where the ruins of this Voortrekker Fort.[1]

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See also

References
  1. "Merafong Tour Guide-Heritage Sites". merafongtourism.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  2. The web source quoted uses the term 'commander' which is clearly a misspelling or typographical error and should read 'commando'. A fort of this nature, in South Africa at the time would have been used by a 'commando', ie: an informal regiment. See Commando if in doubt.
  3. "Voortrekker Fort (?) (Farm Elandsfontein), Potchefstroom". artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-29.

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