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
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
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
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
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
When gold was discovered in the De Kaap Valley, Barberton did not simply appear on a ready-made map.
The road to Barberton was paved in gold, gin, danger and hotels
At the bottom of the notorious Chute stood Jenkinson’s Hotel beside Gin Creek, where transport riders stopped to refill their gin bottles before continuing towards the goldfields.