ROBERTSON THEN

The town was founded in 1853 and named after Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Dr William Robertson. Farming and wagon building were the town's main industry at this time. However, after the Anglo Boer War of 1898, the wagon making industry ground to a halt as the railways took over the transport of all goods.

Robertson became famous for its ostrich farming, however the industry collapsed shortly after World War 1 and at this stage farmers turned their energies to wine and fruit farming. This together with the world renowned racehorse breeding farms, have added to the prosperity of the town and district.

ROBERTSON NOW

Farming is where it began and the area today is still widely known for its fruit farms and vineyards along with its ostrich and dairy farms. The area is also becoming one of the pioneering areas for organic wine production and there are also developing olive farm businesses.

The town is well known for it's tree-lined streets and colourful gardens, vineyards are banked with beautiful roses, columns of red and yellow cannas as well as bright bougainvilleas.

The local farm stalls overflow with fresh produce, dried fruit and freshly made breads, homemade jams and preserves.