The picturesque town of Graskop, situated in Mpumalanga, South Africa, boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture intertwined with its majestic landscapes. Settled on the Mauchsberg at an altitude of 1,493 meters, the town provides a glimpse into South Africa's evolution, both economically and culturally.
Graskop's history finds its roots in the Great Trek of the Voortrekkers in 1837. This ambitious journey saw Andries Potgieter and his party venture north, seeking fertile land. Their memoirs echo tales of Graskop, where the women were stationed while men endeavored to find a route down the escarpment towards Delagoa Bay, which is known today as Maputo in Mozambique.
By the 1850s, Graskop was known as the farm of Abel Erasmus. This stalwart adventurer, noted for his hunting prowess, mining interests, and authoritative nature, was famously known among the local tribes as Dabula Duzi, which translates to "He who shoots at close range."
The late 1800s saw a gold rush in the region, with Graskop playing its part, albeit not as lucratively as some other areas. The remnants of these mining operations subtly dot the Graskop landscape even today.
Around this period, Graskop also became the setting for the iconic "Jock of the Bushveld." This is a riveting true account penned by Sir James Percy FitzPatrick, illustrating his adventures in the Bushveld during the 1880s. The story, revolving around his dog Jock, paints a vivid picture of FitzPatrick's time as a storeman, prospector's assistant, journalist, and ox-wagon transport-rider.
With the gold boom, especially in Pilgrim's Rest, the need for an effective transportation system grew. A railway link, connecting Nelspruit, Sabie, and Graskop, was initiated in 1910 and was ready by June 1914. Graskop was subsequently declared a town that same year.
One must not forget Max Carl Gustav Leibenitz's commendable endeavor in the 1890s, wherein he transformed a mere animal track into the first "Kowyn's Pass." Overlooking Graskop, Leibnitz's inn, which was the area's first permanent structure, stood at the pass's summit.
Primarily known as a railway town, Graskop's economic landscape took a sharp turn during the depression in the late 1920s and 1930s. The government's proactive decision to employ men to plant trees brought a semblance of relief during these tough times. This initiative transformed the region from just a railway town to a thriving timber town, breathing life and prosperity into Graskop.
By the onset of the Second World War, Graskop's population had grown to around 700 inhabitants. This growth saw the establishment of the town hall, a golf course, a horse racing track, a regional newspaper outlet named "Sabie and Pilgrims Rest News", and even a bank.
Graskop, with its verdant landscapes and intriguing past, stands as a testament to the resilience, spirit, and progression of its inhabitants. From its early days as a mining camp to its evolution into a bustling timber town, Graskop's story is a captivating chronicle of South Africa's history.