Boshof

Afrikaans name: Boshof

Main street in Boshof

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Free State

The town of Boshof was named after Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof who was the second president of the Orange Free State. The town was established in 1855 and became a municipality in 1872.

A number of battles in the Anglo-Boer War were fought in the area. One notable victim of these wars was the French Count Georges de Villebois-Mareuil. The Poplar Grove Battlefield site is nearby. It was here that the Boer General Christiaan de Wet ambushed the British forces that were heading towards Bloemfontein.

Farming in the surrounding area includes beef cattle, dairy, sheep, wheat and maize. Salt is produced nearby.

The town has an unusual connection with dancing! The Chris van Niekerk museum focuses on the history of "volkspele" which is Afrikaans for folk dancing. The Volkspele memorial is nearby.

There is a municipal nature reserve nearby where one can see Eland, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Blesbok and Gemsbok. Montagu Private Nature Reserve is 30 km from the town. Another nearby private nature reserve is Wiets Safaris where a variety of game, including white Lions, can be seen.

Have you visited Boshof? What was it like?

Above - Main street in Boshof heading towards Kimberley

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Steam tractor standing in front of the Boshof Civic Buildings

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Boshof Town Hall

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Sunset near Boshof

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 293

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 293

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 377

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 261

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 329

Wikipedia

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