Prince Albert Road, Western Cape

Prince Albert Road
Prince Albert Road

 Prince Albert Road shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 32°59′04″S 21°41′13″E / 32.98444°S 21.687°ECoordinates: 32°59′04″S 21°41′13″E / 32.98444°S 21.687°E
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
District Central Karoo
Municipality Laingsburg
Population [1]
 • Total 103
PO box 6931
Area code 023

Prince Albert Road is a village located in Laingsburg Local Municipality, Western Cape.

The village of Prince Albert Road owes its existence to the route chosen by Prime Minister John Molteno for the Cape Government Railways's western main line, from Cape Town towards the diamond fields at Kimberley.[2][3] A railway station was built at this point, from which a road was run to service the town of Prince Albert, at the foot of the Swartberg mountains, 40 km to the south. This road was therefore named Prince Albert road (now the R407), and the railway station was likewise named "Prince Albert Road". Soon a small hamlet developed around the station, from which the modern village grew.[4]

It is located roughly half way between Beaufort West and Laingsburg, and is today known for its fossil trails in the surrounding Karoo.

The artist Jan Schoeman ("Outa Lappies") was possibly the town's most famous resident. He was an artist, recycler and philosopher, who was voted as the Western Cape Tourism Personality of the Year in 2000. [5][6] He deceased on July 7, 2011[7]

References

  1. ↑ Water Services National Information System - Community Report
  2. ↑ Royal Colonial Society: Proceedings of the Royal Colonial Institute. Northumberland Avenue, London. 1898. p.26. "The Railway System of South Africa".
  3. ↑ Burman, Jose (1984). Early Railways at the Cape. Cape Town. Human & Rousseau, p.59. ISBN 0-7981-1760-5
  4. ↑ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 306.
  5. ↑ http://www.lifeinbalance.co.za/page/travel/447809-Outa-Lappies-philosopher-and-master-recycler
  6. ↑ http://www.explorersclub.co.za/Things_to_do.html
  7. ↑ Update: Outa Lappies remembered, Oudtshoorn Courant, July 6, 2012