Bellville’s Historical Clay and Stone Quarry and the Adjacent Jail

Bellville's Historical Clay and Stone Quarry is a museum on a former mining site displaying tools, machinery, and items from operations that ran between 1930 and 1973. An adjacent jail built in 1936 was part of this worker settlement and shows how people lived and worked during that period.

The quarry began operations in the 1930s and was closely linked to Bellville's development as a growing area. The operation ceased in the early 1970s, marking the end of a significant period in the region's economic history.

The site reveals how mining shaped the community's identity and how workers spent their daily lives in this landscape. You can sense the harsh reality of working conditions through the preserved structures and layouts that remain today.

A visit allows you to walk through the extensive grounds with various preserved sections of the former mining operation. Wear comfortable shoes and plan enough time to explore this large site at your own pace.

A railway line connected the quarry directly to Bellville station, allowing stones and clay to be transported throughout the region. This connection was key to making the entire operation economically viable.