Discover Carnarvon: History and Historic Houses

Carnarvon tells its story in several layers: the town began as the Schietfontein mission station, later bore the name Harmsfontein, and has been called Carnarvon since 1874. The museum, historic buildings and remains of Schietfontein each highlight different parts of this past. There is another perspective, too: Carnarvon is one of the small Karoo towns included on a route through the heart of the Great Karoo. This makes it possible to plan a trip that connects local history with a wider route.

From Schietfontein to Carnarvon

The timeline begins in 1847 with the Schietfontein mission station. In 1860, it became the settlement of Harmsfontein; in 1874, it was given the name Carnarvon. These three milestones provide a clear framework for the town’s history, without the need for a lengthy overview: the names trace the transformation from mission station to settlement and, ultimately, to the present-day name.

The remains of Schietfontein lie about 3 km west of Carnarvon. They offer insight into the region’s past and complement the story of the town’s names with a place outside Carnarvon. Those particularly interested in the historical beginnings can consider these two aspects together: the recorded names of the present-day town and the nearby remains of the former Schietfontein.

The Museum and Stories of the 19th and 20th Centuries

The Carnarvon Museum houses artefacts and collections relating to the conflicts between the Xhosa, Boers, Koranna and Khoikhoi, as well as life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its collections bring together the history of conflict and everyday life. For trip planning, the museum offers a different way to explore the past than the buildings and place names: the focus here is on objects and collections connected with the groups and periods mentioned.

The museum is housed in a building that originally served as the Dutch Reformed Church’s community hall. The building’s former use adds another historical layer to its present role as a museum. Visitors interested in Carnarvon can thus connect the history of the town with that of a specific building.

Historic Buildings and the Town Walk

Carnarvon’s historic buildings include the parsonages of the Dutch Reformed Church and the Rhenish Mission Church, as well as the Uniting Reformed Church at Unieplein (Union Square). Other sites include original buildings in De Bult and old mansions attributed to Dr DF Malherbe and Dr AG Visser. The buildings reflect different architectural and religious connections in the town’s history; their names and attributions help distinguish these various aspects.

The “Historic Houses and Town Walk” takes visitors to homes and buildings dating from Carnarvon’s late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Its focus differs from the town’s naming history and the museum collections: the emphasis is on homes and buildings from these two eras. Together, these topics offer different ways to discover Carnarvon’s history without viewing all its historic sites in the same way.

Carnarvon in the Wider Travel Picture

Carnarvon is one of the small Karoo towns included on a route through the heart of the Great Karoo. This route connection adds another perspective for trip planning to the local historical themes. These are different considerations for planning, not claims about specific accommodation features.

The South African site of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), known as MeerKAT, is located outside Carnarvon. This global megaproject is under construction and is intended to produce the world’s most powerful radio telescope. Alongside the historical themes, this offers a glimpse of a major scientific project in the area around the destination. For those interested, local history, the history of the buildings and a contemporary research project are presented as distinct topics.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: De Aar, Hanover Road, Kleinberg, Noupoort, Victoria West, Britstown, Griekwastad, Douglas.

For the broader travel overview: Pixley Ka Seme.