Towns and suburbs

Ashton

A short history of Ashton trading post, railway station and Boer war fort

ashton

History of Ashton

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 (Cogmans kloof) 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
  • .
  • Bakoondhoogte pass
  • Cogmanskloof pass
  • Skilpadhoogte

WEATHER IN ASHTON TODAY

all listings in ashton

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 023 615 8120
  • Municipality; 023 615 8000
  • Traffic department: 023 6158075 / 023 615 8901
  • Fire: 0860 881111
  • Water: 0860 881111
  • Electricity:0860 881111
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Post office; 023 15 1021
  • Library:0236168025
  • Zolani sports centre: 023 615 8000
  • Ashton town hall:023 615 8000
  • Bamard hall: 023 615 8000
  • Rolihlahla Hall:023 615 8000
  • Cogmanskloof sports fields: 023 615 8000
  • Closest hospital; Montagu hospital 023 14 8100 clinic 023 15 8000
  • Pharmacy; Montague 023 614 1370
  • SPCA: Winelands 023 615 2241
  • Schools: Ashton High 023 615 1740
  • Ashton primary 023 615 1370
  • Museum;
  • Tourism ; (0)23 614 2471

www.montagu-ashton.info

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