Springfontein is an important railway junction. The lines from Port Elizabeth and East London to Gauteng converge here while another line runs west to the diamond-producing town of Koffiefontein via Jagersfontein and Fauresmith.
The town derives its name from a strong artesian spring on the farm Springfontein. Hartleydale, part of this farm, was chosen as the site for the new village in 1904. Municipal status was granted in 1912. Springfontein is situated 150km south-west of Bloemfontein on the N1. This towns history relates directly to the struggle, and especially to the hardships, of the Anglo-Boer War.
Activities
Shangri-La B&B
Wooden bird carvings and paintings.
Concentration Camp
This concentration camp was situated east of the town. During 1901 it was hit by a heavy snowstorm and many of the tents were damaged. Due to the severe winter the death rate were high in the camp. A total of 704 people, mainly children, died in the concentration camp.
Concentration Camp Cemetery
The graves of over 700 Boer and British victims of the Anglo-Boer War buried in the same cemetery.
Concentration Camp Children's Cemetery
There is a separate cemetery where unbaptised children were buried.
De Bome
The house next to the concentration camp site where Emily Hobhouse stayed during her visits to Springfontein.
Historical Anglican Church
With stained glass windows
Khoi fish Hatcheries Shangri-la B&B
Ox-wagon tracks
Made during the symbolic trek of 1938
San Petroglyphs
Rock engravings carved by San people +/- 1000 years ago
Washing stone
An original washing stone used in a nearby concentration camp during the Anglo-Boer War.
Bird Watching
130 Species in typical false Karoo vegetation.
