About Fort Selwyn
Fort Selwyn is a historic military fortification located on Gunfire Hill at the end of Lucas Avenue in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown). Frontier Stronghold: Built between 1835 and 1836 during the Sixth Frontier War, the fort was designed by and named after Captain Charles Jasper Selwyn of the Royal Engineers. Strategic Lookout: Its location atop Gunfire Hill provided a commanding view of the surrounding ravines and the town’s water supply, serving as a defensive redoubt and a refuge for civilians. Gunfire Hill Origin: The hill earned its name because a 9 a.m. gun was fired daily from the fort until 1870, reportedly to remind civil servants to get to work.
Town
Makhanda
Province
Eastern Cape
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