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More information and photographs for this page will be posted shortly HOW TO GET THERE About 40km north of Beaufort West. Clearly signposted from the N1. HISTORY By 1880 the health conditions in and around Cape Town was appalling. The medical officer at the time, Dr A J Anderson was not able to convince governemnt to improve conditions. By then much has also been said about the healthy air of the Karoo. By 1911 John Garlick donated a huge sum and assisted in the collection of sufficient funds to establish "the first chest hospital on the African continent". It was decided that an 8 154 morgen farm in the Salt River area of the Nuweveld mountains, 40km north of Beaufort West, would be ideal. It had a railway station, an excellent supply of water. The land was fertile, and much had already been planted to lucerne. There were orchards, gardens and sufficient grazing for cattle and sheep. And the price was right. It was acquired for only £17,800. The first patients arrived on May 5, 1924, and by December that year the sanatorium was treating 65 patients. By 1947 the facility could accommodate 460 patients. Modern medicine has changed the need for a Sanatorium, but Nelspoort will still remember visits by Royalty and the prosperity brought about by having clean air. ORIGINS OF THE NAME POPULATION PLACES OF INTEREST War Relics First Bluegums planted in South Africa WHAT TO DO AND SEE Numerous rock painting sites ACCOMMODATION TOURISM OFFICE NEIGHBOURING TOWNS Beaufort West 45km Victoria West 105km Richmond 140km Murraysburg 82km |
