Williston

Afrikaans name: Williston

Williston Hotel

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Northern Cape

As strange as it sounds the town of Williston grew on the spot where an almond tree was planted in 1768. The tree was planted by Johan Abraham Nel to honour the birth of his son. The tree was a popular resting place in the otherwise treeless environment. A mission station was founded on the spot in 1845 and in 1883 the town of Williston came into existence.

Visitors will find that there are a number of historical buildings in the area including some Corbelled Houses, the NG church, a museum, a blockhouse and the Rhenish Church.

Share your thoughts about Williston.

Rugged landscape in the surrounding area

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 156

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 151

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 306

go! - Issue 146 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 102

Country Life - Issue 253 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 24

Country Life - Issue 265 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 82

Country Life - Issue 218 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 24

Country Life - Issue 182 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 26

Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 31

Country Life - Issue 178 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 42

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 632 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 18

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 351

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 156

Wikipedia - Williston

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