7 ways to entertain yourself in Harrismith

The Chevy is showing you 7 ways to entertain yourself in Harrismith 

The Free State town Harrismith is quiet, and the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Gauteng or Kwa-Zulu Natal for a weekend away from it all.

The area offers a range of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts and insight into the early settlers and the Anglo-Boer war.

1. Do some fancy driving that is offered at  De Oude Huize Yard offer guests who have an interest in Free State history something a bit special... A tour of history, treasures and stories of Harrismith all in the comfort of a vintage car.

For info on this nostalgic trip you can read more on our blog post 
Thank you to Portfolio Collection for this wonderful write-up 

The Town Hall with the beautiful the stained glass windows and other details is a must see.  The official opening of the Town Hall, by Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams took place on 7 September 1908. This magnificent building was designed by Messrs. Price and Agutter of Durban. Bricks were made in Pietermaritzburg and brought to Harrismith by Ox wagon. Other materials came from 42nd Hill. 

The footprint of the town hall measures 33.6m x 58.2m and can seat 800 people with the balcony.

Ask at De Oude Huize to watch the short video on You Tube on the building process of the Town Hall. 

2. The Galaxy Roadhouse is a fresh new approach to roadside eateries. This retro inspired diner from the original age of the roadside era. 

3. The Platberg Eco Park is a must visit to all nature lovers

You can take drive with a 4 x 4 up Platberg using the Donkey Pass
There is wonderful and challenging Mountain Bike trails
The Block house was built during the Anglo Boer War
You will find wild live in the park
The cross on top of the mountain is known to many travelers.
It is also home to the Annual Berg Marathon 

4. The Chevy then drove back into town and stop at the M.O.T.H. The Memorable Order of Tin Hats. 

The Platberg Shelhole host an interesting museum in the building 

When open you can order a drink and chat to the locals.

Please read more on the activities at the Platberg Shellhole 

5. Golf is a very important part of live in Harrismith This 18 hole course was designed in 1887 and is the 3rd oldest golf course in South Africa. The Chevy could not resist 

Next to the Golf course you will find the Bowling greens The lawns has been established in 1914.

6. The next stop for the Chevy was at the Military Cemetery. A little bit of history is that between 15000 and 20000 British soldiers were stationed in Harrismith .

When you walk among the grave you notice that the men that were buried here were young and died mostly of sickness

7. Places to shop and the Chevy's favorite The Olde World Antiques

We hope to see you more often in our Countryside Town and we do believe that you have enjoyed the ride 

Till next time 

Hennie & Sandra

Cast iron and sandstone fence

DeOudeHuize

The story of Caithness as told by the hosts of  De Oude Huize Yard 

Caithness was build by James Bain 1903 and you will find it in Stuart Street Harrismith. There are 15 rooms which were needed because of Mr Bain's 9 children. Mr. Bain named Caithness after his birthplace in Scotland. Mr. Bain laid the cornerstone on 27 June 1903.

The Bains families were divided into the Royals and Centrals.  (James was a Central Bain) according to the hotels they ran in Harrismith 
You will find pictures of the old hotels on our blog about the old hotels in Harrismith 

The cast iron fence is something out of an era long gone.   

The detail reminds me of a buffalo head. 

The sandstone carved in a half round top 

The garden gate with the little angle wings 

Beautiful back drop of the old sandstone house called  Caithness

The garden wall was built more than a 100 years ago.  

A beautiful old lady  

Lots of blessing from South Africa 

Till next time 
Sandra 

A sandstone church in Harrismith

 DeOudeHuize

This history as told by the hosts of De Oude Huize Yard 

The foundation stone of the St Peters Anglican Church was laid on 19 February 1906 by HRH Arthur William Patrick Albert, the Duke of Connaught, & son of Queen Victoria, whom was in Harrismith at the time to inspect the garrison. 

The porch & belfry was added in 1923.
The original cornerstone was laid in 1874.
It is a beautiful building.

Please join me for a walk in the gardens and church.

A beautiful sandstone building.  

The Memorial Garden 

The benches in the memorial garden

Every plaque tells a story 

Lots of blessing from South Africa 

Sandra 

Thank you for all the wonderful friends whom are sharing this story!!!

A Stroll Thru Life; A delightsome life; Any Girl Can Do It; Craft Berry Bush; Crafty Allie; 

Create with Joy; China on a shoestring; Confessions of a Plate Addict; Elizabeth & Co; 

Embracing Change;  Fabulous Friday;   From my front Porch; Fabulously Creative; 

French Country Cottage; Fishtail Cottage; Funky Junk;  Have a Daily Cup; 

Ivy and Elephants;  Katherines Corner; Knick of Time; Lavender Garden Cottage; 

Life on Lakeshore; My Romantic Home; My Salvaged Treasures; 

Miss Mustardseed; Revisionary Life; Rooted in thyme; Redoux Interiors; The Dedicated House; 

The Charm of Home; Rose Garden Malevik; Tilly's Nest ; Shabby Art Style Sisters; 
Savvy Southern style; Sweet Bella Roos; The Shabby Nest; The Jenny Evolution; 
 Too Much Time;  We Call It Junkin

Stained glass and details of The Town Hall of Harrismith

This history of the Town Hall 

Beautiful gates stands guard to the entrance

The corner stone inscription 

The commemoration of the opening by Sir Goold-Adams

The Town Hall is a classified National Monument 

Lets take the stair . . . .

To the right you will find this beautiful banquet hall.  

Two of these fireplaces support the heating system.  

These beautiful friezed are on the balcony walls.  The top is upholstered in leather.  

The frieze above the stage.  

A harvest time frieze 

The kitchen is equipped with this beautiful double basin

Some of the beautiful push plates 

The bathroom basin 

The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings. Traditionally it is made in flat panels and used as windows.

To assemble the window, pieces of colored and painted glass are laid out on the design board, with the edges of each piece fitted into H-shaped strips of lead (cames). These cames are soldered to one another so that the panel is secure. When a panel is completed, putty is inserted between the glass and the lead cames for waterproofing. The entire composition is then stabilized with an iron frame (armature) and mounted in the window.

Now lets take a look at the stained glass windows and doors.  

.  

Beautiful doors with rich history of our town and the United Kingdom 

A beautiful dome in the Town Hall 

My personal favourite 

The top section of the window above 

Another close-up of a section in the window 

The rose and Lions of England
The Fleur and Dragons of Wales 

The Thistles of Scotland
The Clovers and Harp of Northern Ireland.  

Steep staircase leading to clock tower

Little window on the way to the clock tower 

A monument across the road of a Boer 

Taking while standing on the balcony 

Going down 

Down stairs doors and the beautiful beveled glass doors.  

Lots of blessing from South Africa 

Sandra