Uniondale came into being when the two towns of Hopedale and Lyon became one in 1856. During the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902) Uniondale was protected five British forts, of which four are still visible today. The first Boer invasion into Uniondale was led by 21 year old Commandant Gideon Scheepers on 21st January 1901, while the 10th Hussars were out on patrol some 40km’s away.
The Boers took over without any resistance. They freed all white prisoners and jailed the magistrate and jailer, together with an English church minister, who was to be executed because he would neither swear allegiance to the Boers, nor declare his neutrality. Fortunately for him it was a Sunday and Boers avoided bloodshed on the Sabbath. The following morning, the British troops returned and the Boers left.
The second Boer invasion a few months later in August 1901 was far more intense and resulted in a number of deaths on both sides. Thereafter a number of serious skirmishes took place around the district involving as many as 400 Boers and 350 British.
Uniondale has a restored watermill which was built in 1845. It now houses an art gallery and a restaurant. Uniondale had a huge Jewish community and in town one can still visit the Synagogue with its unique murals.
The fort on the right was erected during the Anglo-Boer War by the British military authorities and the so-called Town Guards for the defence of Uniondale. Four similar structures were built at the time at Uniondale.
Uniondale was originally famous for its wagon building and ostrich feather industries but these faded over time leaving a quaint farming community whose principle production is fruit (apples, pares, etc.), sheep and goats.
Uniondale lies adjacent to the Langkloof, which winds its way through the foothills of the of the Tsitsikamma Mountain range in an area renowned for its awesome scenic drives/rides.
