Oudtshoorn Info

About Oudtshoorn

The area that Oudtshoorn is situated in, the Klein Karoo, or Little Karoo, is densely populated with caves, especially the Swartberg Mountains.  Due to the high number of rock paintings and primitive tools found in these caves, it would indicate that the area was previously inhabitied by the San people.

The area that Oudtshoorn lies in is also known as Kannaland, so named after a shrub, called the Kanna shrub, which was chewed by the San as a tranquiliser. The plant contains a narcotic - mesembrine.

The first white men accessed the Klein Karoo in 1689, although it was another 100 years before farmers started settling in the fertile Cango Valley.

The modern day town of Oudshoorn officially started in 1839 when a church was erected on the banks of the Grobbelaars River on land donated for the cause by one Cornelius Petrus Rademeyer.  The village of Oudtshoorn was named after the daughter of Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, who was appointed as the Cape Governor in 1772.

In 1858 a schoolroom followed, and in 1859 a municipality and Agricultural Society came into being.

Unfortunately, due to drought, by 1865 the area suffered from serious poverty. In 1869 the drought was officially broken, the depression something of the past and Oudtshoorn was about to explode into a centre of unrivalled prosperity due to the popularity of ostrich feathers as fashion items in Europe.

Between 1875 and 1880 tremendously inflated prices were paid for ostriches - up to Ј1000 per pair! Farmers quickly realized that ostriches were a far more lucrative crop than anything else and replaced their crops with lucerne.

The town rapidly grew rich. This inflow of ready cash allowed for the Dutch Reformed Church to be completed and commemorated on 7 June 1879. John Thomas Cooper, a British stonemason, oversaw the work done in local sandstone.

All good things come to an end however, and Oudshoorn was no exception. Nobody regulated the industry, which led to overproduction. This, coupled with severe floods which washed away the Victoria bridge over the Olifants River in 1884. So, in 1885, the industry suffered from a sudden slump.

Feather prices then steadily increased until after the Anglo Boer War (1899 - 1902) after which the second boom started. This one was even better then the first boom, resulting in many Ostrich Barons becoming wealthy almost overnight.

The second boom peaked in 1913 and imploded in 1914. Overnight, the famous Feather Palaces stood empty, millionaires became paupers and the local economy was ruined. Farmers were forced to start returning to more traditional crops.
 

Oudtshoorn now

Modern day Oudtshoorn offers a lot of untapped potential in the tourism industry. The local economy is still very reliant on the ostrich industry, although ostrich meat is fast becoming as much in demand as feathers.

Oudtshoorn isn't known as the Ostrich Capital of the world for nothing. These huge birds are found in great numbers and the region produces the best ostrich meat, leather products and feathers in the world. The ostrich is just one of the myriad of attractions to be found in this area of such interesting contrasts.

Oudshoorn serves as the commercial hub of the greater Klein Karoo region and is situated in the valley between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains. This means that every access road into the town MUST come over and through these mountains, forming stunningly beautiful passes which meanders through unspoilt areas of natural beauty.  Few towns can boast such a wonderful welcome to visitors.

In April every year, Oudtshoorn is literally swamped by up to 80 000 visitors who come to enjoy a week of superb cuisine, art, drama, culture and music at the annual Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. The KKNK (Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees) is a tremendous experience and draws more visitors every year.

One of the great natural wonders of the world - the Cango Caves - is one of the oldest and most popular attractions in the region.

The area is also a well known wine producing region and forms part of Route 62, the unique alternative entrance route into the region, and also the longest wine route in the world.

Oudtshoorn offers a large amount of outdoor activities and accommodation to cater for your every taste.

Visitors are always welcomed with open arms and the people of Oudshoorn go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Oudtshoorn offers an experience that will make you want to come back, again and again.