Ashton

History of Ashton

Province: Western Cape
Coordinates: 33°50′5″S 20°3′17″E
Area: 570/km2
Municipality: Langeberg

Ashton lies at the foot of the Langeberg mountains and is the hub of the Langeberg municipality.
Previously called Roodewal, this was a trading post on the railway line from Worcester to the coast that was completed in 1887. Later Roodewal became a station. Soon after, the area was named after Mr. Job Ashton, director, and railway engineer of The New Cape Central Railways Ltd. He also doubled as the hotel manager. The name was chosen because of his difficulty with the pronunciation of Roodewaal. It was guaranteed he would be able to say Ashton.
For some years the village consisted of a station, a warehouse, a few houses with a school, a hotel, a post office, and a butchery. However, in 1939-1940 it grew exponentially with the opening of the Langeberg co-op where farms were divided into smaller plots. When a second canning factory was opened the industry took off.
Ashton gained municipal status in 1956. It is home to one of the largest canneries in the southern hemisphere, producing fruits, vegetables, and jams. Today there are wineries and nurseries too.

The postcode for Ashton is 6715

Things to see and do in Ashton

-At the top of Kogmanskloof outside the town stands an English Fort dating from the Second Boer War 1899 to 1902. Lieutenant Colonel Sidney, Commandant of the Royal Field Artillery selected a site on which stonemason William Robertson built the fort. It was garrisoned by a company of the Gordon Highlanders, commanded by Lieutenant Forbes who had survived the Magersfontein battle.
Steam Locomotive. A 2010 steam locomotive class 14 CR which was commissioned in 1919 by the Mossel Bay- Worcester rail section stands proudly next to the Municipal offices in Main Road
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Bakoondhoogte pass
Cogmanskloof pass
Skilpadhoogte