GROOTFONTEIN
Founded in 1884 by the Dorsland Trekkers as capital of their Republic of Upingtonia. It came under a village management board in 1933. It attained municipal status in 1947. Known to the Herero as Otjivanda-Tjongue, ‘hill of the leopard’, and to the Khoikhoi as ‘Gelaus, Gelous or Kalaus ‘large fountain’ translated to Afrikaans.
Hoba Meteorite
• Hoba Meteorite, 24 km from town– Found on the farm Hoba Wes by Jacobus Hermanus Brits while hunting in 1920. This is the largest recorded meteorite on earth estimated weight of 60 tonnes. Estimated to land here about 80,000 years ago on side impact. Initially only the meteorite was proclaimed a national monument on 15 March 1955. An area with the meteorite as the centrepiece was re-proclaimed a national monument on 30 April 1979.
Alte Feste (old fort)
• Alte Feste (old fort), Upingtonia st, just off Eriksson st – The fort and administrative post was built in 1896 by the Scutztruppe. It was extended between 1900 and 1905. In 1897 Grootfontein was declared a “Bezirk” (district). It was restored in 1908.Later used as a school and a hostel. Now used as a museum. Proclaimed a national monument on 21 March 1975.
Marshall Steam Roller
• Marshall Steam Roller – on museum premises.
Rhenish Church
Now the ELCRN Maranatha Congregation. Established on 13 November 1911.
