Railway Junction
Noupoort was originally called Naauwpoort, which referred to the narrow pass from Middelburg in the Eastern Cape. A siding was laid out on the farm Hartbeeshoek when the line reached this area in the 1880s. In 1884, the Midland line (to Graaff-Reinet and Port Elizabeth) was joined to the De Aar line, which ran to Cape Town.
Noupoort became a major railway junction, and at its height of popularity, more than 100 trains passed through the station each day. Ultimately, steam trains were replaced by diesel and electric trains, and this led to the unemployment of a large number of railway workers, and Noupoort’s economy and popularity declined.
Noupoort also played an important logistical function during the Anglo-Boer war. A relatively large British camp was situated on the low hill directly north of the town.
The site of the former camp is now largely taken up by residential areas, although some areas remain open. A small British cemetery is situated within the town cemetery.