Aug
2014
Citrusdal as the name may infer, is a town that was established chiefly on the farming of fruits. The town was essentially established around a church that was built for farmers in the region on the farm Middelpost, meaning Middle Post.
The town was established in 1916 with the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk serving the community.
The setting of Citrusdal is a captivating one as it is located at the foot of the Cederberg Mountains as a natural backdrop of this picturesque canvas.
The town of Citrusdal was also built around natural hot water springs, aptly named, The Baths. The history of The Baths is as colourful as the region in blooming season.
The Baths have been in the McGregor family since James McGregor came to the Cape Colony around 1896. His marriage vows, to a one Lenie van Wyk, locked him into the land and he proceeded to develop the land and The Baths with buildings and roads and it became an attraction, whereafter he was obliged to erect guest houses. The family of his wife, the van Wyks, had been farmers in the region for decades.
McGregor’s two only sons died and the seven sisters inherited richly and had the responsibility to run and manage the properties.
The families contributed to the growth of the town and the husband of Lizzie McGregor, a Norwegian by the name of Trygve Morch Olsen, helped build the bridge over the Olifant’s River at Citrusdal.
Some of the old buildings have been restored and preserved by the heirs of the family and today it is still a prospering family owned business which attracts tourists from across the globe in search of some natural healing the hot springs offer.
The town and region has a lot to offer tourists like;
· Visiting the vineyards
· Hiking and camping in the Cederberg Mountains
· Mountain biking
Take a tour of the properties on offer via the MyRoof website, there are properties listed in all the popular residential and holiday destinations.
