Information on Barrydale, Western Cape, South Africa

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Barrydale History

After 1700, the settlers attracted to the remote corners of the Overberg, began searching for new land to farm. It began searching for new land to farm. It had to have an ample supply of water and the soil had to be fertile. The area around Barrydale was particularly appealing.

The pathways and tracks through Tradouw Poort proved too steep for them to be turned into wagon routes and the journey via Cogman’s Kloof was both tedious and time consuming for those wishing to sell their produce in Swellendam. In 1867 plans were made for the construction of a road, to be built by convicts, through the Langeberg linking Swellendam and what is now the village of Barrydale.

In time the farmers who settled on the lands in the valley at the top of the Tradouw Pass decided they wanted their own church and the chosen venue was at the point where the R62 and R324 meet. Thus, the village owes its existence to both a church and crossroads.

In 1878 land was purchased from the Coller brothers and the Dutch Reformed Community of Barrydale came into being on 8 September 1880, prior to which it had been under the jurisdiction of Swellendam.

The village was named after James Barry, an early settler in the Overberg, who was not only a trader but acted as lawyer, agent and auctioneer, deputy sheriff and commandant of militia. He became a member of the legislative Council when representative government was granted to the Cape in 1854.

In the early days of Barrydale there was little in the village apart from nagmaal houses used by the farmers coming to the village to attend church. However, there was a school.

After the collapse of the “Barrydale Empire”, William Sterner, who arrived as a “smous”, became Barrydale’s economic success story owning the general dealer shop, the hotel, the draper’s, the shoemaker’s and the gunsmith’s.

Barrydale grew over the years, and by 1921, the Municipality was established. The Barrydale Koöperative Wynkelder was formed in 1940 and distillery set up. The farmers were encouraged to plant vineyards, and orchards, growing fruit for canning and export.

Barrydale, like all little Little Karoo villages, has known times of hardship and prosperity. Today is the core of a prosperous farming community and enjoys perfect year round weather and its wonderful scenic setting attracts a steadily growing number of visitors

Towns and Suburbs of the Western Cape province of South Africa

Arniston , Albertinia , Bantry Bay , Bellville , Barrydale , Beaufort West , Bloubergrant , Bloubergstrand , Brackenfell , Caledon , Century City , Ceres , Camps Bay , Cape Town , Citrusdal , Clanwilliam , Claremont , Constantia , Darling, De Rust , De Waterkant , Durbanville , Fish Hoek , Franschhoek , Fresnaye , Gardens , Gordon's Bay , Gansbaai , George , Grabouw , Green Point , Greyton , Hout Bay , Hermanus , Kenilworth , Kleinmond , Knysna , Lakeside , Lambert's Bay , Langebaan , Malgas , McGregor , Melkbosstrand , Milnerton , Morreesburg , Muizenberg , Montagu , Mossel Bay , Mowbray , Newlands , Noordhoek , Observatory , Oranjezicht , Oudtshoorn , Paternoster, Paarl , Parow , Pinelands , Plettenberg Bay , Prince Albert , Pringle Bay , Rawsonville , Robertson , Riebeeck West , Rondebosch , Stellenbosch , Somerset West , Simon's Town , Saldanha , Sea Point , Sir Lowry's Pass , Stanford , St Helena Bay , Strand , Swellendam , Table View , Tokai , Tulbagh , Tygerberg , Uniondale, Vermont , Vredendal , Wellington , Wilderness , Witsand , Worcester , Wynberg , Yzerfontein