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| HILLDROP HOUSE
Rider Haggard's Hilldrop House built in 1875, situated on an estate known as Roy Point was purchased in 1879 by Sir Rider Haggard, author of King Solomon's Mines, and his friend Arthur Cochrane for the purpose of ostrich farming.
The estate was bought from Sir Melmouth Osborn who had been the resident magistrate of Newcastle but had moved on. Rider Haagard's first novel “Jess” is based on his experiences at Hilldrop House. The farm “Mooifontein” can be recognised as Roy Point and “Lion's Kloof” is un-mistakenly “Tiger's Kloof”.
This house was used as the location for discussions for the retrocession of the annexation of the Transvaal and played host to a number of dignitaries including Sir Hercules Robinson, Sir Henry de Villiers, President Brand, President Paul Kruger, General Piet Joubert and M.W. Pretorius. Rider Haggard's Hilldrop House is now a national monument and its present owners Andre and Lelani Joubert will show you around if you make an appointment tel (034) 315 2098. |
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THE ARMOURY
During the 1870 with the threat of war with Zululand looming the colonial authorities advised the towns of the colony to provide some form of defence for their townsfolk. This led to the construction of the Armoury.
Used as the gathering point of the local volunteers, the Newcastle Mounted Rifles the Armoury has continued to provide a home and a gathering place for local volunteers and service men.
One of its more interesting “visitors” was a young Winston Churchill who spent a night here as a prisoner of the Boer Forces in 1899.
Now it is the home of the MOTHS and contains a fascinating collection of memorabilia. Anyone wishing to visit the place should contact “Bim” Philpott on 034 318 7176 |
| THE KING'S HOTEL
Built as a private home in 1880 by Mr Newstead it had 9 bedrooms each with its own piano. Mr Newstead gave lesson's to the town's talented children.
In 1891 when the railway arrived Newstead saw another opportunity and turned his home into a hotel and a pub and very popular one at that.
The King's Hotel really sprang to fame during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 when there were thousands of troops in and around Newcastle and “mine Host” entertained the boys each night in the lounge with all the popular tunes of the day with the boys joining in the sing song. One fatal winter's night however, there was a sudden and dreadful explosion when the fire in the lounge was stoked with more coal. Mr. Newstead had to be taken to hospital with a serious face wound. A cartridge must have found its way into the coal scuttle and discharged in the fire, the bullet striking Newstead in the face. Although the bullet was removed Newstead failed to recover. |
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HINDU TEMPLE
Built in 1903 this rather unique temple looks almost miniature, yet it is reputed to have the largest cella dome of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The cella being the chief apartment of the temple where the statues of the God and Goddess are placed. One of the famous visitors of times gone by was none other than Mahandras Magandi who is even reputed to slept in a little house that used to stand behind the temple.
The President of the Temple and present caretaker is Mr B.O. Singh who is always willing to show visitors around if he is there. |
| THE CARNEGIE GALLERY
The gallery was built on a donation received from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to serve as a public library. Construction of this beautiful building was completed in 1915. Erected on the site of the public gallows and jail it remained in service as a library for 65 years when it was converted into a museum. A duty it performed until 1991 when it was transformed into an Art Gallery under the curatorship of Mrs Judy Jordan. The borough seal that appears above the entrance was designed by the first Mayor, Councillor AJ Crawford, when Newcastle was officially declared a borough in 1891. The inscription “Qui Non Proficit Deficit” which translated means “He who is not willing to serve is a failure”.
Click here to visit the gallery's own page |
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NEWCASTLE HIGH SCHOOL
The first government school was established in 1882 as a junior primary with 47 boys and 30 girls. In 1904 it was decided that a a new Boys school should be built and the site chosen was that of the present Newcastle High School.
The building that now houses the main offices of the Newcastle High School was erected in 1907 and served as an all boys school until 1911 when the Headmaster, TD Wilson made a determined effort to introduce education levels higher than standard six. Although this was met with some opposition from parents, the boys' and girls' Schools were integrated and divided into junior and high schools, both being co-educational.
What makes the building interesting is the Victorian inspired architecture. |
| St DOMINIC'S ACADEMY
In 1909 the Order of St Dominic bought the property on which the school now stands from Sir Charless O'Grady Gubbins and moved their residence to his house, which was later demolished in 1965 and newer buildings erected. In 1912 Brother Nivard of the Marianhill Monastery in Pinetown designed the library and adjacent buildings to the north west of the tower to match the residence. The Bell Tower was erected in 1915 and the clock added in 1917.
The school boasted the first school swimming pool in Natal which was constructed in 1915. The pavilion built in 1916 as a skating rink and a venue for sport and social events is an elegant structure, which was proclaimed a National Monument in 1977. In the early eighties the schools Parent teachers Organisation conducted a vigorous campaign that raised funds for the Pavilions restoration. |
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THE BANK OF AFRICA
Built in 1905 on the corner of Scott and Allen Streets this lovely sandstone and plaster building is still in service today albeit not as the Bank of Africa. On 12th April 1905 the Mayor of Newcastle, councillor R. Holmes, congratulated the Bank of Africa on their artistically designed offices built in the Elizabethan style to the plans of Messrs. Steele and Bannister of Capetown and Johannesburg. Sadly the original roof construction is now hidden by a modern hording.
The Bank of Africa merged with the National Bank, which in turn became known as Barclay's Bank who only vacated the premises in the late eighties when they built their new building in Scott Street. |
| THE TOWN HALL
The Town Hall was constructed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria on the site of an old well. The official opening took place in July 1899, officiated by the Mayor, Councillor JG Kemp.
The clock was installed in 1901 with the costs being carried by public donation. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Greaves was personally responsible for the fund raising efforts.
There is a story told of how an ancient Owl took up residence in the clock tower. During a performance of the Durban Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mr Edward Dunn a loud snoring was heard from the direction of the audience, much upsetting the conductor. Fortunately the “disturbance” was located to the old Owl and the man's pride restored. Unfortunately the Old Owl was obliged to find other premises.
In front of the Town Hall is a marble monument to the men of the Newcastle Mounted Rifles that fell during the Anglo Zulu War most of them at Isandlwana. |
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FORT AMIEL
This typical frontier fort was built in 1876 by Major Amiel and some 200 men of the 80th Staffordshire Volunteers and is now a museum open to the public.
Click here for the Fort's own page |
| O'NEILL'S COTTAGE
This quaint little sandstone cottage was built in 1870 by Peter de Bary for his wife Bessie who was very fond of roses and called the home “Rosedale” which is still the name of the farm on which the cottage stands.
In 1879 Peter sold the farm to Richard Charles O'Neil who was the owner when the cottage experienced claim to fame when it found itself in the middle of no mans' land in the British and Boer conflict of 1881. After the British disaster on Majuba the cottage and it's grounds became temporary hospital for the many British casualties and one can still see the graves of some of the men that died there. During the flowing month of March the cottage was used by the belligerents to thrash a peace Convention, that was finally signed on the 21st March. Among the distinguished persons present were Martinus Pretorious, Paul Kruger, President Brand of the Free State, Sir Evelyn Wood and Piet Joubert. The cottage is now a National Monument and can be visited at almost any time. You can find it about 32 km from Newcastle on the road to Volksrust. |
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"Tourism Newcastle is your one stop information centre for the Newcastle District. We will gladly provide you with any information you may need regarding accommodation, facilities and all Tourism related activities in our area.
Please contact us on tel: 034 315 3318 or e-mail us at info@newcastle.co.za if you require any other information." |
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