Toms Place Bloemfontein

Breed Description

Tom Ferreira, a well-known farmer in the Tierpoort area, turned a portion of his land on the Tierpoort Dam into a resort. As an experienced yacht enthusiast and the first Free State farmer to partake in the Cape to Rio trip in 1976, Tom saw an opportunity with the construction of the N1 National Road. He engaged the Roads Department to build a bridge on the N1 and establish a filling station. Tom’s vision also included a resort next to the dam, leading him to negotiate the purchase of land along the N1 from the Minister of Transport. In 1984, with assistance from Shell South Africa, Tom’s Place opened its doors. Managed by Tom, his wife Pauline, and their three children, the resort, gas station, and restaurant thrived. Tom’s generosity made it a popular stopover, creating cherished memories for families traveling from Cape Town to Bloemfontein. Today, Tom’s Place remains an iconic landmark, treasured by those who enjoyed their childhood days in and around the dam.