George

George is the largest town in the area and profiles itself as the capital of the Garden Route. It is a pleasant town and a major transport hub, with buses arriving from all over South Africa. The city was settled in the 18th century and named after British Monarch George III.

George has been important for the timber industry, ever since colonial powers have ruled the area.

Points of interest

The First Class School for Girls was founded by Christina Petronella van Niekerk, who wanted to teach in a different way that contrasted with the established conservative way of thinking.
George Museum was started as a private collection by Charles Sayers. He had collected items and document from his hometown's history. His collection included mechanical devices such as old mechanical musical instruments and typewriters. He founded the 'mini museum' in 1966 to showcase his collection. The collection grew and the museum was first moved to the 1847 George Town House and later to the original drostdy (magistrate's residence and office). Apart from the original collection, the museum exhibits indigenous timber items, amongst others. It is located next to the market square.
The King Edward VII Library building was constructed in Edwardian style.
The Outeniqua Transport Museum is home to a large collection of steam locomotives and carriages, some of which ran on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train serveice, which was discontinued in 2010.
The Slave Tree is an ancient English oak that was planted by Landdrost (magistrate) van Kervel. It is called the Slave Tree because of the large chain and lock that are embedded in its trunk.
The Sentech Tower is the tallest structure in George. It is a radio and television transmitter tower and it is located at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.

Churches

The Dutch Reformed Mother Church was built between 1830 and 1842. It has very thick walls and a domed tower, which is 23 m tall. The church was built by slaves, who continued construction after slavery was abandoned in the region in 1834.
Pacaltsdorp Church was inaugurated in 1825, making it the oldest church in the Southern Cape. It was built in Norman style with thick stone walls. It has a tall square tower, topped by battlements. The first missionary lived in the small mud-brick house across the road.
St. Mark's Anglican Cathedral was built in 1850. Extensions were added in 1925 and it features beautiful stained glass windows.
The Roman Catholic St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Church was completed in 1843. It is the oldest Roman Catholic structure in South Africa.

Around George

Blanco is a village that was originally called Whitesville, after Henry Fancourt White, who founded it. On his suggestion the village was renamed Blanco. In 1859, he built the mansion of Blanco House. His son later renamed it in honour of his father. Nowadays, it's a hotel.
The Garden Route Botanical Garden features a large amount in plants that can be found along the Garden Route. The botanical garden is located at the top end of Caledon Street.
The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe was South Africa's last scheduled steam train service. It ran between George and Knysna along the Garden Route. The railroad opened in 1928 and it was discontinued in 2010. Some of the rolling stock can be seen in the Outeniqua Transport Museum.
The Outeniqua Mountains separate the coastal region from the Karoo. A gravel road that includes the Montagu Pass connects George with Oudtshoorn. Tolls used to be collected from people who travelled over the pass and the old toll house can still be seen.
George is a good place to stay if you want to visit the Tsitsikamma National Park.
Not far from George are the Wilderness Lakes. It is an area with a series of scenic lakes.

Accommodation and restaurants are widely available in town. There are numerous excellent golf courses in George. The city is on the coast of the Indian Ocean in the Western Cape province. It is about half way between Cape Town and Gqeberha, 1,070 km southwest of Pretoria.

George

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