Situated near the banks of the Fish River, Fort Brown (built in 1835) now forms a part of the police station. It was one of a chain of forts built during the Frontier Wars in the Eastern Cape.
Something Over Tea
Scribbles from my notebook
Situated near the banks of the Fish River, Fort Brown (built in 1835) now forms a part of the police station. It was one of a chain of forts built during the Frontier Wars in the Eastern Cape.
Something Over Tea 
Thank you for sharing this
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It seems a Brazilian pepper tree is growing below the spout that drains the floor at the top of the piquet tower (picture 3) and is already fairly large. In time its roots will split the wall about and they will tumble eventually. It makes me think of the poem “For want of a nail, the shoe was lost / For want of a shoe a horse was lost …” Only in this case it will be “For want of care a saw could not be found / For want of a saw the wall was no longer sound …”
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I love these old stone buildings!
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They reflect so much of history, from the materials used and how they are put together, to their design and – of course – the purpose for which they were erected.
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Oh yes! It does!
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Interesting it’s still being used.
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It is interesting the way some of the old buildings have been incorporated in the modern ones, leaving the tower and parts of the walls free as a monument. This proximity is probably a kind of safety net for its future – although (see my response to Vuurklip) the growth of a tree in the wall is not good at all.
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Sorry to read this.
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Imposing structure… built to endure!
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When seen in the context of the conflicts of the time, one cannot help assuming such buildings must have been imposing – at least until the amaXhosa also acquired firearms.
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I did a quick search of the Cape Frontier Wars. The fort is a very interesting relic of the past.
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There are a number of them in this area – no-one really cares for them specifically and so they are gradually disintegrating – yet they provide interesting markers of the turbulent past of this region.
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In a world where everything seems to only last until the day after the warranty expires it is wonderful to see a part of our collective history – no matter which side of that history one might be on – still standing, even if a bit unkept (and I do hope someone does something to that exotic Brazilian before it is too late)
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I hope so too, although it will most likely come about as the result of a private initiative.
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What a grim looking building but I suppose forts are! I hope the police have nicer spaces attached.
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The actual police station consists of modern buildings, some of which incorporate older ones. What I have shown here is the main part of the fort which is preserved within their fenced off property.
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Fascinating recycling of a forbidding building
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This ‘forbidding building’ provided much needed protection for local farmers and their families during the frontier wars – as well as for their cattle. Cattle raiding was the prime reason for many of the attacks at the time.
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Essential, I’m sure
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Dit is mooi, al was dit vir oorlog bedoel.
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Die boere in die omgewing en hulle families – saam met hulle beeste – het daar veiligheid gesoek gedurende die ‘Frontier Wars’.
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Siestog, hulle lewe was beslis erger as ons s’n vandag.
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Love the pictures ❤️😍❤️
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Thank you, Bondels.
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