Queenstown: The Hexagon and Frontier History

Queenstown’s history can be read in very different features: a hexagonal settlement layout, a frontier cottage and a steam locomotive. Together, these examples tell of defence, market life and the city’s development as a frontier town. If you enjoy focusing on buildings and specific historical details when you travel, Queenstown offers several distinct perspectives.

The Hexagon: from defence plan to marketplace

Queenstown’s original hexagonal layout was designed to defend the settlement. Later, the Hexagon served as a marketplace; with its fountain and garden, it was declared a National Monument. This sequence links two different functions of the same place: the layout was created for defence, while the Hexagon was later used as a marketplace. This change is what makes the shape so interesting—it is not only unusual, but part of a story in which the use of the central square has changed.

The Old Market Building stands on the western side of the Hexagon. This building was also declared a National Monument and now houses the Business Plaza Complex. This creates a concrete spatial connection between the Hexagon’s former use as a marketplace and the building’s current use on its western side. If you are interested in how a city centre changes over time, you can explore two different aspects here: the history of the square and the continued use of a historic building.

Frontier history in a cottage and a locomotive

The Frontier Museum in Queenstown features a reconstructed and furnished frontier cottage. Its furnishings make the cottage a vivid example of the domestic life associated with frontier history. The museum grounds are also home to a steam locomotive built in Britain in 1921. In 1947, it hauled the royal family’s train during their visit to Queenstown. The cottage and locomotive offer different points of focus: one leads into the history of domestic life, while the other brings together technology, railways and a specific visit to the city.

The Old Market Building adds another dimension to these themes: it was declared a National Monument and now houses the Business Plaza Complex. The contrast between its designated heritage significance and present-day use offers a different perspective on city history from the Frontier Museum’s exhibition themes. As you explore Queenstown’s history, you can distinguish between changes to buildings, everyday life and individual historical events.

Putting Queenstown in the context of cultural history

A 1978 museum guide describes the historical section of the Komani Museum as presenting the development of Queenstown as a frontier town and that of the surrounding districts. This perspective therefore goes beyond the history of the city alone: Queenstown is also presented in the context of the development of neighbouring districts. This adds a broader historical perspective to the specific examples of the Hexagon and the Frontier Museum.

When planning your trip, you can sort these themes according to what interests you most. The Hexagon and the Old Market Building represent the town layout, the former use as a marketplace and the current use of a historic building. The Frontier Museum brings together the cottage and railway history; the museum guide links the historical section of the Komani Museum to the development of the city and surrounding districts. These different areas of focus help you understand Queenstown through specific cultural and historical features.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a trip focused on urban and frontier history, this theme can inform your choice of destination. Consider which perspective you want to shape your trip: the development of a distinctive town layout, the history of a frontier cottage and a steam locomotive, or a view of Queenstown in the context of the surrounding districts. This way, you can choose your destination according to your interests without combining the different historical themes into a single narrative.

Discover more destinations: Molteno, Cradock and Middelburg.

See the broader travel overview: Chris Hani.