Graaff-Reinet, An Album Of Old Photographs 1800s
Graaff-Reinet, An Album Of Old Photographs 1800s
Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in South Africa, has a very rich and eventful
history. Regrettably few sketches or paintings exist depicting the frontier village
in its early years. However, the discovery of photography, introduced to Graaff-
Reinet in 1861 by the pioneer and excellent photographer, William Roe, resulted
in numerous photographs being produced. Many of these photographs were handed
down from generation to generation to lie forgotten in some old family albumor to
tucked away in an attic to deteriorate. With his keen interrest in heritage, the
compiler of this book has for many years copied virtually all the available old
photographs of the town. The pictures reproduced here have been chosen from
his considerable collection to depict the town during the period 1866 to the beginning
of this century.
I trust this publication will impart to the reader some of the charm and atmosphere
of the historic past, which Graaf-Reinet, Gem of the Karoo, is trying to preserve.
G Froneman,
Manager, Historical Homes of S.A. Ltd.
