Fort Wonderboompoort, Wonderboom-Pretoria

Completed on 4 September 1897 by the Krupps firm, Von Dewitz and Weiner, the fort cost £49 000 and had the same type of entrance as Fort Schanskop. Ramparts were built around the fort to improve defence. Intially, the forts were manned by the Rijdende Artillerie, and alter the Corps Vesting Artillerie, consisting of 100 men. The German forts were built for a garrison of 30 men, but were never fully manned. Fort Wonderboompoort was commanded by Lieutenant J. Wolmarans. The fort was supplied with electricity from a paraffin engine, and equipped with a lightning conductor. The fort was also had both an underground telegraph and running water pumped from the Apies River. Initially, 18 gunners with armaments were stationed at the Fort but by 5 June 1900 only one gunner remained and no cannons were left. Today, the fort is in ruins, and is now part of the Wonderboom Nature Reserve. The fort was opened to the public on the 7 July 1904, as it was no longer under military possession. The Pretoria City Council purchased part of the original Farm with the wonderboom tree ('miracle tree') and Wonderboom Fort. The fort was meant to be converted into a prison along with Fort Daspoortrand, but instead, its roof was demolished during the Second World War. It is believed this occured under the instructions of Prime Minister Jan Smuts who feared the fort may be used by anti-government forces. This area was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1937.
The reserve is in the North of the Magaliesberg Mountains in Pretoria. The two main attractions of the reserve is Fort Wonderboompoort and the Wonderboom Tree – a very unusual, very big fig tree discovered in 1836 by the Voortrekkers and considered sacred by local tribes. A picnic area and several hiking trails lead up to the fort as there no roads to Fort Wonderboom and a steep 2 km, 45 minute hike up the hill is required. Wonderboom Fort has not been well preserved over the years but its ruins have become a very popular tourist attraction, in part due to the History of the Area and in part due to the magnificent Wonderboom fig tree found at the base of the hill on which it sits. Over and above these factors the site is still worth a visit as the views over Pretoria are breath taking. In the distance, the entire City of Pretoria can be seen, along with such famous sights as the Voortrekker Monument, the Telkom tower, and the South African Reserve Bank.