The Courthouse in Wakkerstroom, situated on Engelbrecht Street and built in 1897, is of classical architectural style. it is built out of sandstone which was quarried from local stone in the area. The roof consists of corrugated iron and has three Victorian air vents. The ornate pressed ceilings have been well preserved. The court room sits in the centre of the building and much of the furniture is original, such as the dock, the witness stand, the magistrate’s bench, and the public gallery.
The Court building also houses other rooms and facilities such as the magistrate’s office as well as a separate office for the regional magistrate or the Circuit Court judge. There is a public counter and also prison cells for awaiting trial prisoners.
This is one of the few state buildings erected during that era which does not have a cornerstone. This was because the president at the time, President Paul Kruger and General Piet Joubert apparently could not agree on who should lay the cornerstone. The famous author Sir Rider Haggard was involved in work in this court house.
The court is still in use today, and visitors may view the interior of the building with permission from the front office.
References:
- Hofmeyr, JW et al 2009: Wakkerstroom, Jewel of Mpumalanga,2009, Mediakor
- Peters, W(Ed)1995 &2001. Wakkerstroom: A Conservation Study and a re-assessment, Durban: University of Natal Department of Architecture
GPS coordinates: 27,354278 degrees; 30,144295 degrees
