Heilbron
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
Heilbron | ||
---|---|---|
PO box 9650 | ||
Area code | +27 (0) 58 | |
Website | http://www.heilbron.info/ |
Heilbron is a small farming town in the
The neighboring township of Phiritona is home to former Orlando Pirates player Thandani Ntshumayelo, former Mamelodi Sundowns player Ramodiehi "Papi" Mbele and former Free State Stars player Tshiliso Mosikili.
The township boasts one of the oldest black-only High Schools in the Free State, Phiritona High School.
Heilbron is divided into three parts. Heilbron a historically white only area, Sandersville historically Colored only area, and Phiritona a historically black only area. This is symbolic of the settlement patterns that were enforced by the apartheid government.
History
In 1836, the
Heilbron was officially established in 1873. The town was founded at the site of a perennial natural fountain, thus the name 'Heilbron' (Afrikaans for 'Spring of Bliss'). The fountain is the source of a small stream which runs through the town. Various small groups of people have lived on the banks of the stream for centuries.
A Hester Dorothea PELSTER, a1b2c4d1e1f6g6h4, born 19 November 1891, was baptised in Heilbron on 28 February 1892. She is a descendant of the PELTZER progenitor Abraham PELTZER and his wife Elizabeth VAN DEN BERG.[3]
After Bloemfontein was conquered by the British forces during the
In order to subdue those Boers who continued to fight, the British High Command attempted to cut the guerilla army off from its source of provisions. Boer farms were razed and
During the early years of its history, several
Attractions
Heilbron train station
Heilbron railway was first laid in 1899 and connects to the link in Wolwehoek. Later the line was extended to Petrus Steyn and Lindley . The old sandstone building is a provincial heritage site.[4]
NG Church
The congregation of Heilbron was first established in 1874, it was seceded from Kroonstad. The sandstone building of the Dutch Reformed church was inaugurated in 1885, the cornerstone was laid by President Brand in 1880. On its grounds is a monument to the Heilbron burghers killed in the Anglo-Boer war.
Leeuwpoort of the Weilbachs Farms
During the
Mother and Child Memorial
The Mother and Child Memorial commemorates the 787 Boer women and children who died between 1899 and 1902 in the British concentration camp at Heilbron during the Anglo-Boer War. The large cemetery serves as a stark reminder of the tragedy.[6]
Vechtkop Battlefields, Monument and Museum
The Battle of Vegkop was fought between the Matebele of Mzilikazi and the Voortrekkers of Hendrik Potgieter just outside the town of Heilbron. On 16 October 1836 about 6 000 Matebele warriors attacked the laager of the Voortrekkers at Vechtkop. A battle ensued and 430 Matebele and two Voortrekkers were killed.[7]
Riemland Museum
The Riemland Museum is housed in an old Jewish synagogue, which in itself tells the story of the Jewish influence on the history of the town. The museum tells the history of the early hunters in the Riemland, as well as the early pioneers and settlers.
Heilbron in literature
Heilbron has been featured in Dr Leonard Lotzof's autobiographic book Spilt Milk.[8]
People from Heilbron
- Thandani Ntshumayelo, South African football player.
- Papi Mbele, South African football player.
- Henning Klopper
- Sisi Mabe
- Peter Maltitz Anderson
See also
References
- hdl:2263/26503.
- ^ a b c d Sum of the Main Places Phiritona, Sandersville and Heilbron from Census 2011.
- ^ Die Geslagsregister van die familie PELSER, PELSTER, PELSZER, PELTSER, PELTZER en PELZER in Suid-Afrika sedert 1708 deur R. DE V. PIENAAR, Stellenbosch, 2004. Bl. 7 en 30
- ^ http://www.heritagefreestate.co.za/images/forms/Resources%20_uthority.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Ngwathe Website".
- ^ "The Battle of Vechtkop (Vegkop), near present day Heilbron, FS, between the Voortrekkers and the Ndebele takes place. Kalipi at | South African History Online". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ISBN 1740183517.
External links
- http://freestatetourism.org/heilbron-attractions/
- http://www.free-state-info.co.za/provinces/town/472/heilbron