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Heritage & History

Unearthing the stories, buildings, and moments that connect Barberton’s past to its present.

The railway that changed the gold-rush town

The railway that changed the gold-rush town

Gold might have been buried beneath the mountains, but getting anything in or out of Barberton was another matter altogether. For the people of the young town, a railway was not simply a convenience. It was a lifeline.

Barberton families who vanished when the Drummond Castle sank

Barberton families who vanished when the Drummond Castle sank

In June 1896, several people connected to Barberton boarded the Drummond Castle for the journey home to Britain. They never reached their destination.

When faith came to the goldfields

When faith came to the goldfields

By the late 1880s, Barberton had representatives of several Christian denominations, each attempting to establish a congregation in a rapidly expanding gold-mining town.

Forgotten occupations that kept Barberton goldfields alive

Forgotten occupations that kept Barberton goldfields alive

Gold was the dream that brought them to Barberton, but gold alone did not build the town. Behind every prospector was an entire army of people whose work kept the goldfields alive.

Ghost stories where history may still be lingering

Ghost stories where history may still be lingering

Whether you believe in ghosts, spirits or strange energies, one thing is certain: an old gold-rush town with ancient mountains, abandoned mine workings, lonely roads and more than a century of human drama has all the ingredients required for a good ghost story.

📽️ The rich traditions of Swazi culture remain part of Barberton life

📽️ The rich traditions of Swazi culture remain part of Barberton life

Although society has changed considerably over the years, many Swazi traditions remain strong, serving as a reminder of the importance of family, respect and community.

The men who put Barberton on the map

The men who put Barberton on the map

When gold was discovered in the De Kaap Valley, Barberton did not simply appear on a ready-made map.