Boshof

History

The area that would become Boshof was originally part of territories inhabited by Griqua and other indigenous groups. Historical records from the mid-19th century indicate that Dutch farmers began crossing the Orange River into the region around 1816–1820, initially for seasonal grazing during droughts in the Cape Colony. By the 1830s, larger groups of immigrants, including Voortrekkers from the Great Trek who settled permanently. One such group purchased land from a Griqua chief named Dautzeo, establishing farms in what is now the Boshof district. This purchase formed the basis for early European presence in the area, as documented in contemporary sketches of the Orange Free State. Boshof was established in March 1856 on the farm Vanwyksvlei, and named after Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (1808-1881), second President of the Orange Free State (1855–59) and founder of its civil service. During its early years, Boshof functioned as a district centre in the Orange Free State, with a focus on agriculture and grazing. The Modder River skirted the district, providing water resources essential for farming. By 1872, it had achieved municipal status, indicating growth in local governance and infrastructure. The town's development was supported by the Dutch Reformed Church, which played a key role in community organization, education, and religious life. During the 2nd Anglo-Boer War the local commando was involved in the siege of Kimberley, notably to disrupt the city's water supply at Riverton. The Battle of Boshof, which resulted in the death of the Comte de Villebois-Mareuil, was fought nearby on 5 April 1900.

Most-observed species

• Pied Crow

  Corvus albus Statius Muller, 1776 · Aves
  27
• Helmeted Guineafowl

  Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  23
• Black-fronted Bulbul

  Pycnonotus nigricans (Vieillot, 1818) · Aves
  23
• Cape Wagtail

  Motacilla capensis Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  22
• Ring-necked Dove

  Streptopelia capicola (Sundevall, 1857) · Aves
  21
• White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

  Plocepasser mahali A.Smith, 1836 · Aves
  20
• Yellow Canary

  Crithagra flaviventris (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  20
• Southern Anteater-Chat

  Myrmecocichla formicivora (Wilkes, 1817) · Aves
  19