Olive Scheriner House

The famous South African authoress, who, amongst many other literary works, wrote Story of an African Farm, lived in No. 9 Cross Street, Cradock, South Africa, in her youth. A pictorial display of her life can be seen in the house. Schreiner House was bought by A.A. Mutual Life and subsequently restored as a joint project with the Town Council of Cradock. It has since been donated to the National English Literary Museum and was declared a National Monument in 1986. The local library has a special corner with her literary works and manuscripts preserved for posterity. Olive, her husband, Samuel Cron Cronwright, their baby and dog, were buried in a sarcophagus on top of Buffelskop Hill on the farm Buffelshoek, 24 km south of Cradock, on the Mortimer Road. From the top of Buffelskop Hill one gets a beautiful view across the Great Fish River Valley, the sight which so impressed Olive Schreiner herself, and the reason for her decision to be buried here. The walk up the mountain and visit to the gravesite is only recommended for those that are reasonably fit. A full half day is needed to complete this trip.