
Villiers
Afrikaans name: Villiers

Photo © Steven Herbert
Villiers is a small town on the banks of the Vaal River. It straddles the N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban. Heidelberg is 60 km away towards Johannesburg and Warden is 98 km away towards Harrismith.
The town of Villiers was proclaimed in 1891 at the site of a crossing over the Vaal River. This crossing was important as it was the main one between Durban and Johannesburg. Today it is still busy but highways and bridges have replaced the dusty roads of earlier days.
The town was established on the farm of Lourens de Villiers and it was named in his honour.
With the size of the grain silo at Villiers it is no surprise to hear that maize is widely farmed in the area. There are also a lot of cattle farms.

Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 145The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 106
On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 353
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 308
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 241
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 338
Free State Info - Villiers

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