Viljoensdrif

A coal mining village.  It takes its name from the “drif” (ford”) which was closed to ox wagons in 1895 to prevent goods reaching the Rand, forcing people to use the Eastern railway line. Named after the owner JH Viljoen, who establish a ferry in 1857. In 1890 an agreement was made between the Cape Government and the Free State for the building of a railway line from Bloemfontein after the discovery of gold in the ZAR. The line was completed in 1892 and end here at Viljoensdrif. Goods were then transported via the drift by ox wagon. A rail bridge was built in Maccauvlei in 1893.DESCRIPtION OF PAGE
Railway station
World War 1 Monument
World War 1 Monument – next to railway line at station – this memorial commemorates the people from the area who died during the War 1914- 1918. Dedicated in 1921.
Tornado rock pile
Tornado rock pile – in front of the primary school – erected in 1967 when a tornado destroys the roof of the school and other buildings in the area. The school was opened in 1908 and closed in 1991.
Cemetery
Cemetery – The remains of the people were exhumed and reinterred here. They were retrieved from the cemeteries at Rietfontein and other farms to make way for coal.