Jack Hindon Traditional Cache
Knagur Green: Due to no response from the CO after the request to maintain or replace the cache, I am archiving it to, stop it showing on the listings and/or to create place for the geocaching community
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A short history of Alexanderfontein Hotel
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The original Alexandersfontein Hotel was a simple structure, situated on the old main road to the Cape. By 1882 there was even a swimming-pool. In 1899 the farm was bought by the De Beers Mining Company. The Anglo-Boer War began shortly afterwards and the Boer lines besieging Kimberley cut right through Alexanderfontein. A sharp action was fought there on 14 February 1900, the day before Kimberley was relieved.
At Rhodes's instigation this was replaced in 1902 by a luxury hotel which served also as weekend resort for the wealthier inhabitants of Kimberley and Beaconsfield. Once one of the country's three finest hotels, it is now used by the SA National Defence as the Jack Hindon Officers' Club.
Later De Beers resolved to build a new hotel at Alexanderfontein. The architect was a Mr Greatbatch. Tenders were called for and despite floods delaying the work, by October 1902 the post of manager of the new hotel was advertised.
During 1907/1908 a second wing was added to the hotel. Golden days followed shortly: band performances were given on Sundays; dances were held on Saturday nights; tennis, bowls and skittles were played and there were water birds on the duck pond. Amongst important visitors to stay there was Edward, the Prince of Wales.
The Tram
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An electric tram service to Kimberley was opened in 1905; tickets cost one shilling each way and over the years has been powered by horses, mules, battery power and steam. The original tram station where found in the centre of Kimberley and different rails ran through the town and to Alexanderfontein Hotel.
The Jack Hindon Officers' Club
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The Jack Hindon Officers' Club is situated on a part of the original farm Alexanderfontein, which was granted to one J.C. Coetzee under an Orange River Sovereignty title in 1848. The border disputes which centered round the discovery of diamonds in the early 1870's affected the original farm in the sense that part of it was annexed from the Orange Free State and added to the British colony of Griqualand West. No diamonds worth mentioning were discovered on the farm, but as the main Cape Town — Kimberley road ran through Alexanderfontein, it became well known for its gardens, large springs and licensed premises. The Roadside Hotel was built on the farm in 1872. It was renamed the Thatched House Inn and later the Thatched House Tavern. It was well known as the resort of the pleasure-seekers of the Diamond Fields. Christmas advertisements offered: "Horse racing, pigeon shooting, sack racing, target shooting — civility, attention — the coolest of drinks and the finest of watercress."
As it was decided to use the building as an Officers' Mess, it had to be renovated. In attempting this task, the idea was to restore it to its former glory. The original structure was not changed, but new bathrooms and a kitchen had to be added. To restore the original as authentically as possible, bricks of the same size as those in the old hotel were specially baked. The resulting building was a remarkable success; the old dance hall is now the main dining- room; in addition there is a lounge for men, a lounge for women, a suite of rooms for important guests, and rooms upstairs for officers. A magnificent staircase forms the centre-piece of the whole building, with a chandelier, an ornate ceiling and wall-to-wall carpeting it makes an impressive entrance to the mess. Much of the old furniture has been re-installed, while the rest consists of furniture in the style of seventy-five years ago.
The Jack Hindon Officers' Club was officially opened on Saturday, 26 February 1972. The formal dinner on that occasion was attended by amongst others, the Minister of Defence who unveiled a bust of Jack Hindon made by Charl Engela, the sculptor of the Danie Theron statue. Colonel Piet Bosman who was then Officer Commanding of the Combat School, announced at the same time that it had been decided to name the lounge for women the Elize Botha lounge, in honour of the wife of the Minister. About one hundred and eighty guests attended the ceremony. Since then many an officer and lucky guest have enjoyed the luxurious comforts of the Jack Hindon Officers' Club, surely the most beautiful Officers' Club in South Africa.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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