Sites

The site comprises an old farmhouse located on Portion 3 of the farm Oak Hill 305 which is owned by Mr Lemmer. The original farmhouse is rectangular in shape with a corrugated hipped roof and a wrap-around veranda. Evidence for the original wrap-around veranda was found in the presence of columns in the exterior walls all around the house. It is therefore evident that the original wrap-around veranda was enclosed with only a small section on the northern end of the building unclosed. The original wooden floors and ceilings are still intact with some of the interior walls of wood as well. While several sash windows remain, the majority have been replaced over the years with metal window frames. The earliest definite depiction of a building here was found to be on the First Edition of the 3325DB Topographical Sheet that was surveyed in 1943. However, the ruin of a building is depicted here on an early survey diagram compiled in December 1889. With no evidence for an old ruin in proximity to the Lemmer farmstead, it is possible for the present farmhouse to have been erected on the same foundation of the 1889 ruin. However, this can of course not be said for certain. What is certain is that the building is at least 72 years old and quite likely older as well. The presence of a ruin in proximity to the farmstead as early as 1889 indicates that an archaeological midden may be located here. While no archaeological midden material was observed in proximity to the farmstead, reasonably old material was observed between the farmhouse and ravine.