Matoppo House has a rich and romantic history dating back to c.1835. Stark in its simplicity, it is one of Beaufort West’s most beautiful and impressive historical homes. The main house was built for Magistrate Johannes Jacobus Meintjies, the son-in-law of the well-known Andries Stockenström. Though it was Meintjies’ private home and therefore not strictly speaking a ‘drostdy’ (official residence of landdrost or magistrate), it has long been known by that name. Since it soon became the social hub of the town, Meintjies Street which leads to its door, was widened to 80 ft (24,4 metres), as wide as the main street, so that carriages could turn at the gate. Later the street became a bustling market place complete with sm