In February 1948, the Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith authorised the 'establishment of a military post on the Bushman's River'. This was largely due to complaints from the settlers of cattle raids by the Bushman. In fact, a small force under a Captain Campbell had already established a military post on the banks of the river just below the present fort.

The Settlement, still known as Bushman's River Drift, was boosted in 1850 with an influx of Byrne Settlers and the name was changed to Estcourt to honour Thomas Henry Sutton Estcourt who had played a significant role in the Byrne Emigration Scheme.

Fort Durnford was constructed as a frontier post after alarm caused by the Langalibalele Rebellion in 1873. Major Antony Durnford of the Colonial Engineers selected the site and possibly also designed it. Certainly his signature is on the plans. Today the Fort is the home of the Estcourt Musueum.

By the end of 1885, the railway from the coast had reached Estcourt and it helped convey an influx of treasure seekers the following year responding to reports of gold being found in the area. 'Gold at Estcourt' read a headline in the Natal Witness of October 16,1886. But there was no gold to be found and the dreams of fortune faded. With the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War in October 1899, Estcourt was surrounded by Boer forces and the battle of Willowgrange, fought to the south of Estcourt, marked the furthest foray by the Boers into Natal.

As the war progressed, many thousands of British soldiers began to arrive and were temporarily encamped at Estcourt. It was during a reconaissance towards Colenso on an armoured train that Winston Churchill, a young correspondent for the Morning Post,was captured. He later escaped from Pretoria and returned to Natal via Mozambique. He came back to Estcourt to cover the Siege and relief of Ladysmith.
At the time of the war, Estcourt was still officially a village and was only procliamed a township in 1905. By 1914 the town qualified to become a Borough and R.M. Drummond was elected the town's first mayor.

More about Fort Durnford:
The Fort is strategically placed on an eminence above the old military post at the drift. It is a substantial rectangular structure of local sandstone, with walls two feet thick rising approximately thirty feet. There are two square towers, one to the South East and one to the North West. There are heavily barred windows throughout and numerous loopholes. The windows were originally fitted with heavy iron shutters turning on hinges spiked to the walls, for closure when not manned.

inside the building a stone paved hall gives entry to the body of the Fort, with guard, barrack and storerooms. Off a side passage, originally closed by a grille and probably used for prisoners, there are doors to a vaulted powder-magazine and offices.

Other items of interest include an underground tank beneath the floor of one of the rooms, and in the ground floor of the North West Tower the remains of a pit from which two "secret" tunnels allegedly lead. One tunnel heads north-west towards the military post at the drift and one north-east exiting from the hillside. This would have been useful for bringing in supplies or alternatively providing a means of escape.
Today the fort is the home of the Estcourt Museum. It also houses an amazing collection of bird's eggs donated by Godfrey Symons.

MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS

BLOUKRANS MEMORIAL(1938)
Many Voortrekker families were killed here following the murder of Piet Retief by the Zulus in February 1838. There is a memorial on the site.

AUGUSTINIAN CHAPEL(1929)
The Chapel can be found at the end of Victoria Street in Estcourt Town. Estcourt became the cradle of the Augustinian Order in Natal in 1891.

BRYNBELLA-WILLOWGRANGE
The site of the southernmost battle of the Anglo-Boer War, some 10km from Estcourt on the old Estcourt/Mooi River road.

CHIEVELY MILITARY CEMETARY
In this cemetary, set among the trees, Freddy, the son of Lord Roberts, lies buried.

ST. MATheWS ANGLICAN CHURCH
The first part of the Church was built in 1882. In 1959 the Nave was doubled in length and the Tower was built as a Memorial to those who had fallen in the war.

OLD CIVIC BUILDINGS
Originally built as the agricultural hall, this is now the home for the Umtshezi Tourist Information Bureau.

THE FIRST GOVERNMENT SCHOOL
Built circa 1886. The first scholars were admitted on 2 August 1886. It is located in Alexandra Street in Estcourt, and is now known as Estcourt Secondary School.

GREYSTONE
The country residence of the last premier of Natal, Sir Frederick Moor. Greystone now offers camping facilities and a caravan park, as well as accomodation in rondavels and dormitories for bigger groups and leadership courses.

OLD MAGISTRATE'S RESIDENCY
The Old Court House and Magistrate's Offices in MacFarlane Street were built in 1884/1885, and the Powder Magazine built at the same time. Magistrates at the time had sole control over the traffic in gun powder.

OLD NATAL GOVERNMENT RAILWAY BRIDGE
Built in 1885 and still in use.

VEGHTLAAGER(VEGLAER)
Originally known as GATRAND, it was renamed after an attack by Zulus had been withstood by Voortrekkers in 1838. The site has been underwater since the building and commissioning of Wagendrift Dam.

ZAAILAAGER
The site of Gert Maritz's laager lies east of Estcourt, overlooking the horseshoe bend of the Bushman's River.