Towns and suburbs

Porterville

Wheat production economy

porterville

History of Porterville

The town was laid out in 1863 on the farm Pomona which was previously called Willems Vallei. It became a municipality in 1903 It was named after William Porter, Attorney General of the Cape Colony from 1839 to 1866. Porterville was the terminus of the railway on the Cape Town to Port Elizabeth line Long known as the home of the rare Disa Uniflora flower, it is also a paragliding and hang-gliding capital. People from all over the world come here to “fly”.

, Porterville has grown into one of the most popular country towns attracting artisans and entrepreneurs which has triggered its growth as a tourism and lifestyle destination. However, the main economy of the area revolves mostly around wheat production.

The license plate prefix for Porterville is CEX and the postal code is 6810

WEATHER TODAY IN PORTERVILLE

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Things to see and do in Porterville:

  • The Porterville Galleon stands as one of the thousands of ochre rock paintings in the Cederberg. The rock painting is believed to date back to the early 18th century and is one of the rock paintings that straddle the colonial and pre-colonial times.
  • Dasklip pass
  • A roller mill in town mills wheat in the old-fashioned way.
  • Porterville Farmer’s Market is the main attraction on weekends. It is a community market held 1 km outside of the town.
  • On the Last Friday of every month, live music, food and drink specials and art gallery exhibit openings happen in town.
  • Proudly Porterville is an art experience that offers visitors the chance to view and purchase a wide variety of art. There is also an itinerary of live music, workshops, culinary experiences, outdoor activities, fun children’s events, and more. Sept/October (022 931 3732 (Porterville tourism)

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 022 931 2187 022 931 8700
  • Traffic department: 022 931 2100
  • Fire: 022 433 8700 – emergency 022 931 2100 022 931 3315
  • Water:
  • Electricity: 083 272 3294
  • Ambulance: 022 931 2601Post office; 022 921 2583
  • Library: 022 931 2100
  • Closest hospital; Lapa Muninik 022 931 2140
  • Pharmacy; 022 931 2121
  • SPCA: Swaartland 022 492 2781
  • Local newspaper: Die Courant 022 487 3221
  • Schools: Porterville High 022 931 2174
    Willemsvallei primary 022 931 2505
  • Museum; Jan Danckaert 022 931 3528
  • Tourism: 022 931 3732    Facebook

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