Thomas River historical village
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21504/pbd28515Keywords:
Thomas River, Jan van der Kemp, Jeff Sansom, Anne Sansom, San culture, Queenstown, Anglo-Boer WarAbstract
In Thomas River Historical Village, Dave Hawkins traces the origins and evolution of this unique Eastern Cape heritage site, named by missionary Jan van der Kemp in 1801 after the death of English deserter Thomas Bentley. Once an outspan station for wagons en route to the diamond and gold fields, Thomas River later became a significant rural hub and historical landmark. The article documents the careful restoration and preservation of its buildings—including the blacksmith’s workshop, post office, trading store, and church—by Jeff and Anne Sansom, transforming the derelict site into a vibrant heritage and tourism destination. Notable for its three royal visits (1860, 1947, and 2016), the village encapsulates South Africa’s layered colonial, agricultural, and cultural past, showcasing artefacts, vintage vehicles, rock art, and memorabilia that reflect the region’s diverse historical narratives.
References
Hawkins, D. (2022) Thomas River Historical Village. [Unpublished article/field report].
Printed Handout Guide to Thomas River Village (compiled by Jeff and Anne Sansom).
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dave Hawkins
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
In compliance with the South African Copyright Act 98 of 1978, the copyright of published articles resides with the authors. The Society retains to right to distribute articles as published within the journal.
