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HOW TO GET THERE (GPS: 33 35S 22 12E) From Cape Town, follow the N1 north. At Worcester turn towards Robertson and continue on Route62 to Oudtshoorn. From George, cross the mountain on the Outeniqua pass to Oudtshoorn. HISTORY The first recorded visitors to the area was a trading party in March 1686. About 100years later, the first farmers started settling in the area. By 1839 the first church was erected on donated land and a village soon developed. By 1858 the first schoolroom was opened. Ostrich feathers became a fashion item and the local economy prospered until 1885 when overproduction caused the market to slump. Prices recovered, in particular after the Boer War and peaked in 1913. By 1914 the entire feather industry collapsed causing the ruin of the local economy. Oudtshoorn is today a modern town with the local economy still very reliant on the ostrich industry. ORIGINS OF THE NAME Named after Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn (an appointed Governer of the Cape who died on the voyage out). POPULATION 85,000 PLACES OF INTEREST 'Feather Palaces' of old. Number of Historic buildings Meiringspoort towards Beaufort West WHAT TO DO AND SEE 'Ostrich Boutique' and Ostrich Factory Tour at the Klein Karoo Co-op Ostrich Farms Annual Art Festival (KKNK) (April) 'Arbeidsgenot' - Museum located in home of CJ Langenhoven CP Nel Museum Walking Trails Mountain Bike Trails Birding 4x4 routes Game viewing ACCOMMODATION TOURISM OFFICE Tel: 044 279 2532 Fax: 044 272 8226 CELLARS ON THE KLEIN KAROO WINE ROUTE Kango Tel: 044 272 6065 Fax: 044 272 1038 NEIGHBOURING TOWNS Calitzdorp 52km Willowmore 146km Prince Albert 72km Beaufort West 179km OTHER WEB SITES 
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