The stone blockhouses were built by the British during the Anglo-Boer War in 1901. Only 441 of these stone structures were built to protect the railway bridges crossing ravines from Boer attacks. They were of utmost importance as the railway line from south to north was the main transport artery for the British Army between the Cape Colony and the Boer Republics. Many of these structures have fallen into disrepair or disappeared over the subsequent years but some are still standing and are in need of repair, especially those in Tulbagh and Wellington. They have sadly already been stripped of many of the original wooden and steel building components and have no organisation/private person tending to them or preventing further vandalism of the sites.
The Wolseley blockhouses are in a remarkably well preserved condition and could be used as a benchmark for the restoration.
The Wolseley blockhouses are in a remarkably well preserved condition and could be used as a benchmark for the restoration.
