The Origin of the Name

The name  originates from a farm called “De Doorns boven aan de Hex Rivier,” meaning “The thorns on the upper Hex River”.” This name dates back to at least 1725. In 1819, the area was declared a sub-district (drosty) of Tulbagh, and by 1822, the farm had become the seat of the De Doorns drosty. The region, once a wilderness full of wild game as evidenced by San Bushmen rock paintings, saw its first pioneer farmer, Janz van Hoeting, in the 1700s. By the end of that century, six farms had been established, each with a beautiful “Cape Dutch” homestead. Over time, these farms were divided into at least 150 smaller ones. The farm Clovelly is notably where the story of the Fair Ghost of the Hex River began.

The Arrival of the Railway

In 1875, the farm was purchased for the construction of a railway station by the Cape Government Railways. This project, one of the most challenging in South Africa’s history, required the construction of two tunnels, extreme curves, and managing a steep gradient of 1:31. Trains needed to reduce their length and weight at Touws River to handle the descent into Worcester. The station became a stop on the line from Cape Town to Touws River and then to Kimberley. In 1989, the line was reconstructed, shortening its length and adding more tunnels. The hamlet of De Doorns developed around the station, gaining a management board in 1933 and municipal status in 1951.

The Economy of De Doorns

The area around De Doorns became known for its table grape production, thriving due to the transport infrastructure. The rail link played a crucial role during the Second Boer War (1889-1902), with stone blockhouses built to defend the railway line, some of which still stand today. De Doorns remains a key supplier of table grapes in South Africa.