| karooinfo.com |
HOW TO GET THERE (GPS: 33 12S 20 51E) On the main N1 route, about halfway between Cape Town and Beaufort West. HISTORY The first recorded history of the area dates back to the early 1700's. In 1776 a Dutch adventurist described the great drought in the area. By 1862 one Stephanus Greeff settled in the area and acquired the farm 'Vischkuil' with the specific purpose of starting a settlement. By April 1880, the town was born and the first erven was sold. It became a municipality in 1906. By January 1981, the town nearly drowned when it was flooded by the Buffels River. More than 100 people lost their lives while only 21 buidings remained, most badly damaged. Today the floodlevel is still clearly marked. ORIGINS OF THE NAME Named after John Laing, Commissioner of Crown Lands in the cabinet of Cecil John Rhodes. POPULATION PLACES OF INTEREST "Wolfaard Collection" in Library Hall War Blockhouse Various Fossil sites. WHAT TO DO AND SEE Walking Trails 4x4 Trails Annual Karoo Marathon ACCOMMODATION TOURISM OFFICE Tel/Fax: 023 551 1019 NEIGHBOURING TOWNS Matjiesfontein 27km Touws River 82km Leeu Gamka 123km Beaufort West 198km Ladismith 85km 
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