Smith's Store/Hotel

Posts : 365 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Smith's Store/Hotel was a key point on the Lower Tugela River before the Zulu War. It supplied accommodation and supplies for hunters and traders going into Zululand and provided a pont to carry them across the river. During the Zulu War the hotel was utilized by Lord Chelmsford and members of his staff whenever they were at the Lower Tugela to inspect the forces there and again prior to the Eshowe Relief. Both Commodore Sullivan and his replacement Commodore Richards stayed at the hotel, and HMS Active's naval brigade officers held a farewell party for Commodore Sullivan before they left for Eshowe with Colonel Pearson.

Does anyone know the history of Smith's Hotel and who was its proprietor at the beginning of the war?

Tom

Subject: Re: Smith's Store/Hotel Wed Jun 05, 2024 8:02 am

The original road or track used by early English settlers and by Capt. T. C. Smith when he re-occupied Natal in 1842 was known as Smith's South Coast Road. This has largely disappeared, the most well-known stretch along the beach south of the Marina Hotel vanished in the 1930s. I believe the store/hotel was named after the road rather than the captain.

Posts : 365 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Julian,

Thank you for the information. I thought that you would be the one to reply.

Tom

Subject: Re: Smith's Store/Hotel Wed Jun 05, 2024 6:00 pm

Tom
i would have replied sooner but I've been on holiday in Corfu and only got back early Tuesday morning!

Subject: Re: Smith's Store/Hotel Wed Jun 05, 2024 6:06 pm

I'm not sure but there IS still a Smith's Hotel in Natal - I don't know if it's the same one...google it and ask the owners if they know who was there in 1879.

» Fugitives Drift
» Stuart - Smith's Burial Location ?.
» Dill’s Store