This town is situated on the N7 – 300km from Cape Town.

In the first half of the 18th century “trekboers” settled in the area. In 1751 they founded a village, called Troe-Troe. It is believed that the name means ‘river of battle’ .

A Dutch Reformed parish was established in 1850. At a meeting of male members, a local farmer called Petrus van Rhyn, offered to build a church – provided that each member pay a yearly fee for maintenance.

In 1881 the church council & community decided to change the name of the village from Troe-Troe to Vanrhynsdorp.

The first residential stands were sold in 1887 & municipal status was granted in 1913.

The economy of the town & district is based largely on sheep ranching.

General JBM Hetzog occupied the town on behalf of the Boer Republic for a few months as well as General Jan Christiaan Smuts.

An old Church on the outskirts of Vanrhynsdorp

Attractions:
The succulent nursery in town which is the largest in the world
Old Goal 1895
Horse mill
Van Rhyn Museum – 1897
Victoria Smith Memorial Aviation History