The Old Toll House is located near George. It holds an important place in the region’s history. It was constructed in 1847 to serve as a vital checkpoint and toll station for the newly built Montagu Pass.
The Montagu Pass, named after John Montagu, the colonial secretary of the time, was designed by Charles Michell and built by Henry Fancourt White to replace the treacherous Cradock Pass. At the time of its opening in 1848, it was labelled as one of the finest passes in the country.
The Toll House has a simple design, built using sandstone from the surrounding mountains. It features thick walls, small windows and a steeply pitched thatched roof. The thatch was replaced with a corrugated iron after it was destroyed by a forest fire in July 1855
The Montagu Pass served as the main connecting route between George and the inland regions until it was replaced by the Outeniqua Pass in 1951. Both the Old Toll House and the Montagu Pass was declared as National Monuments in 1972.
Sadly, the Toll House fell into disrepair despite its Monument status. The wooden floors were used for firewood and the walls were covered in graffiti. All the yellowwood beams were stolen, the roof was leaking, and the windows and doors were broken.
A few concerned history lovers formed a group, “Friends of the Old Toll House” and with the help of residents and local businesses, who donated goods and services, the Old Toll House was restored back to its former glory in 2014.
Tragedy struck in 2018 when the Old Toll House was totally destroyed during the widespread veldfires in the Southern Cape. It was rebuilt once again and reopened to the public in 2022.
I decided to place a cache near the Old Toll House to bring attention to the rich history of this beautiful building. It is open Saturdays and Sundays for those who are interested to learn about the history and to see what it looks like inside.
You do not have to enter the premises to reach GZ.
Please note that only the Montagu Pass, which starts just passed the Toll House, is closed and you can still reach this historic building by road.
Fortunately there are plans in place for the restoration and reopening of the Montagu Pass which will hopefully be finished in 2027.