Williston Tombstone Route

Williston Tombstone Route

James Wright and Cornelius de Waal used stencils and chisels to carve out special tombstones from sandstone which was sourced in the area. The craftsmen used to identify the pieces of sandstone that they wanted to use and then broke it out of the surrounding rock using wet sticks. Holes were made in the rock face in the general shape of the desired tombstone and then wet sticks were placed in the holes. The wet sticks would then swell and crack the rock. The stone would then be transported by donkey carts to, more than often, the graveside where it would be crafted into the art pieces which can still be seen today. The front of the stone was flattened and levelled with a rough stone and the remaining sides were decorated with stencils and chisels as well as the wording. Koega, Oest and Dassiekloof farms all have beautiful examples of this artwork.

Route directions:
The Tombstone Route is approximately 50 km long. 9 km on the Carnarvon road and left at the Van Wyksvlei indicator. (Gravel rd). 15 km to Brownslaagte - Corbelled house; 19 km to Koega - tombstones; 10 km to Oest - tombstones; 5 km to Dassiekloof - tombstone.

For more information on the Tombstone Route please contact:
Williston Tourism Bureau
Tel: +27-53-3910003