Loeriesfontein

Afrikaans name: Loeriesfontein

Loeriesfontein main street

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Loeriesfontein is a small town surrounded by mountains.

One of the interesting features of Loeriesfontein is the Windmill Museum featuring 27 windmills amongst other interesting pieces. In spring the town plays host to visitors looking for the spring wildflowers. One can also visit the Bokveld Nature Reserve which is near Nieuwoudtville. After good rains one can see the 30-metre-high waterfall on the Doring River, which is located in the reserve.

In 1894 a travelling bible salesman established a store in this location. Amazingly the Turner and Haupt Spar still operates today! Today the area supports sheep farming as well as wheat. Some salt is mined.

So where did the town get its name from? The excellent book “Things ewe never knewe about South African place names” by Anne Gadd proposes two possible answers, none of which really seem to provide a suitable answer. A Loerie, otherwise known as a Tauraco, is a colourful bird found in sub-tropical forests. There are no forests here. The second proposal is based on the Afrikaans word “loer” which means to “peep” or “spy”. If this is the source of the name, I wonder who was peeping at who!

What is Loeriesfontein like?

Loeriesfontein shops

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Dutch Reformed Church - Loeriesfontein

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Fred Turner / Windpump Museum

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Windpump Museum

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 132

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 117

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 338

Journey Through the Living Deserts of South Africa - Author: CM Dean - Published: 2005 - Page: 148

Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 30

Northern Cape - Namakwa

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