Cathcart

Cathcart is situated on the N6, just north of

Cathcart is situated on the N6, just north of Stutterheim. Cathcart is now popular for gliding, the hill slopes provide excellent launching sites and the thermal air currents permit extensive soaring.

Tourist attractions in Cathcart

• Fishing
  The numerous water conservation dams have been stocked with trout and bass giving excellent fishing in unrivalled scenery.
• Flora
  Rare and beautiful wild flowers. Some found nowhere else in the world.
• Hiking Trails lead out from the historic Post Office. A luxury base camp.
• Birding
• Mountain Bikes Our course is rated 2nd in SA by some of the riders. Our annual "Mean Cuisine Challenge" takes place in November.
• Horse Riding Spend the night and ride all day for less than an hours ride in town.
• Garden Tours Arrange for your Garden Club to visit our beautiful gardens.

The town is situated in the foothills of the picturesque Windvogelberg, and is surrounded by a large and productive farming community. The sweet and sour veld produces record and prizewinning stock and the farming enterprises include sheep, goats, cattle and diary products. Crops are planted for grazing and seed production. Cathcart was established as a military post, initially called the Windvogel Post, in 1856 after the Eighth Frontier War. The fort was constructed of mud-brick whereas the officers quarters, and various other buildings comprising the outpost, were of stone. It was built by the 85^th Light Infantry of the Cape Mounted Rifles, and the ruins are still in evidence. The town itself was to develop considerably later, from the 1870’s. It was named after Sir George Cathcart, governor of the Cape in the early 1850’s, and became a municipality in 1881. On approaching Carthcart attractiveness. The properties are well attended as are the municipal gardens and streets. The main street is where most of the activity takes place, for Cathcart has a thriving commercial sector and most commodities are available. There is a pine wood furniture factory, specialising in cottage-type furniture, and a carpenter who renovates antiques.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

East London (N6) 135 km, Queenstown (N6) 58 km, Stutterheim (N6) 48 km

Banks

Absa, Fnb, Perm, Standard

Mountains

Windvogelberg

HISTORICAL VIEW

Anglican Church

CM van Coller Museum

Was originally the Library (1901) and the large room at the back was used for council meetings. It is named after the Hon CM van Coller, a local lawyer who became Speaker of the House of Assembly. As well as housing an interesting collection of artifacts from the district, the museum depicts a typical shop at the turn of the century and is well worth a visit.

The Elliot Brothers Office Building was established in 1903, as an office for attorneys and stock agents, as it remains today. The adjoining shop, with it’s cast-iron filigree verandah, is also a declared national monument.

Historic Tree

From the Isle of Elba (at the railway station).

Kenya Corner

The originally railway workers’ cottages were made available to ex-Kenyans during the Mau Mau uprisings in the 1950’s, hence the name, ‘Kenya Corner’. These picturesque and unique corrugated-iron structures area still rented out. Directly behind these cottages is the ‘Kloof’. This is an area of indigenous flora, including cycads and aloes. The main water supply dams are situated here and a nature walk is being established in this area.

Library

Originally the local ‘Farmers’Store’, this is one of the most imposing buildings in the main street, with it’s neo-classical façade. It was opened in 1885, and the plaster medallions above the arched portico are thought to be of the original owner and his wife. It now operates as an efficient public library. Behind it is a small theatre, used for church and social functions, as well as acting as a ‘tri, gym’ for the over – 50’s.

San Rock Art

Found on the farm Benghoil, off the Fort Beaufort road. Many of these are well-preserved and contain some unusual features. Accommodation is available at the farm lodge.

Standard Bank Building

Is an elegant building, typical of it’s period and constructed with sandstone from the district.

The Old Gaol

Town Hall

Built in 1905 and considered an excellent example of art nouveau architecture. Acetylene gas lamps were installed at the time bringing an air of sophistication to the little town. The original lamps, now electrified, still stand in front of the building. Behind the hall is a bell turret, housing a bell from the Orient, a Russian owned ship wrecked off East London; this was used to summon the townsfolk to market. Stained glass paneled doors grace the front of the building. The town hall is frequently used for municipal and social events.

War Memorial

Water Reservoir

Of the original fort

NATURE

Nature Rambles and Walks

In the Windvogelberg are becoming increasingly popular – offering a wealth of botanical interest, flora and fauna galore and an active birdlife. Recommended starting point are either at the Sam Meyer Dam or behind the Kenya Corner cottages. Allow two hours to make the most of the easy-to-follow route.

ATTRACTIONS

The Amatola Craft Amble

Was created to include all the local crafters and various places of accommodation in the Hugsback, Cathcart and Stutterheim areas. The route takes one through six towns and along many scenic farm roads. The circular drive to spectacular in parts and gives one the opportunity to explore this fascinating area without traveling over the same ground twice. A map can be obtained at various points along the route and at the museum, the library and the Royal Hotel in Cathcart.

Traditional Dances

Stonehenge

Trout Hatchery

Situated below the Koch Dam. The latter consists of eight ponds, fed by the Koch Dam, providing fingerlings for river and dam stocking. Table trout are supplied (smoked on request).

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

San Painting Trail

View numerous examples of San rock art on this trail

Outdoors

Birding, Boating, Farm Activities, Fishing, Game Drive, Gliding, Horse Riding, Hunting, Walking

Water Sport

Kloof & Koch and Sam Meyer Dam

Accommodation in and around Cathcart