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Oudtshoorn is a small town in Western Cape, which is known as 'the ostrich capital of the world'. This small town serves as the commercial hub for the greater Klein Karoo region, which comprises Prince Albert, De Rust and Calitzdorp.
Oudtshoorn was named after the first appointed Governor of Cape Colony, Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn. It is developed in a valley that is located between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains. One can enter the town through Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route, Cape Town or the hinterland.
As established by the many rock paintings found in the caves and throughout the Swartberg Mountains, the land in this region was inhabited by Bushmen. The first known European explorers, led by Ensign Shrijver came to the town in 1689. The first permanent structure of the region was a church of Dutch Reformed denomination. It was built in 1839, around the banks of the Grobbelaars River.
In 1859, the drought resulted in poverty and misery in the region and it was only in 1869 that relief came through floods. Thereafter, the village started to boom as a small town. This town has developed in accordance with the growth of its ostrich industry.
Since the early 1860s and throughout the Edwardian Period, ostrich leather and its feathers were primarily used in ladies’ clothing. The ostrich products from Oudtshoorn were high in demand in England and Europe. The huge demand of ostrich feathers, which were sold at incredibly high prices, helped in accelerating the growth of Oudtshoorn.
Numerous Jewish and Eastern European immigrants came to the town for earning profits by indulging in trading. At one time there were so many Jewish people in the town that it was often referred to as 'Little Jerusalem'. This phase of Oudtshoorn's history saw the construction of many churches, public schools and commercial buildings.
The local farming community benefited from the trade and exhibited their richness by building “Ostrich Feather Palaces”. These palaces, with stained glass windows, turrets and cast-iron work, still exist in the town. The Scottish stonemasons' skill that was imported for the building of the Dutch Reformed Church (Moederkerk - Mother Church) is visible in these buildings.
Prominent architects like Charles Bullock, George Wallace and JE Vixeboxse designed a few of the Ostrich Palaces. The Victorian and Edwardian era structure and fine artwork in these buildings is synonymous with 'Ostrich Feather Boom' (1860 - 1914).
During the late 20th century, Oudtshoorn became one of the popular tourist destinations of South Africa. All around the year, the climate is warm and pleasant. Visitors can either explore the mountain ranges or simply spend time amidst the natural beauty of Oudtshoorn.
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