Established in 1912, the town is situated on the Highlands Scenic Route between Wepener and Ladybrand. The small town, on the banks of the Leeu River was named after the Anglo Boer War concentration camp heroine, Emily Hobhouse. Emily Hobhouse visited war torn South Africa during the Anglo Boer War and was appalled at the conditions in the concentration camps. She promptly started nursing and welfare services amongst the Boer women. So dedicated was this staunch suffragette that she called off her engagement. Her wedding veil hangs in the Head Office of the ‘Oranje Vrouevereniging’ in Bloemfontein, the first women’s welfare organization in the Free State. Hobhouse is a 85 year old centre of maize, wheat, cheese and livestock production.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Ladybrand 56 km (south)

Banks – FNB (no ATM’s)

Rivers – Caledon River

HISTORICAL VIEW

Miniature Church

Built in 1938 to commemorate the Great Trek centennial. It is the smallest of only two miniature churches in the Eastern Free State region.

San Rock Art - In the caves along the Caledon River

ATTRACTIONS

Archaeological Site - On the farm Lemoenhoek