The town was founded on the farm Melkboschkuil when the farm was purchased from Kowie Cloete for £750 (£573,000[2] or ZAR6,705,520 in 2010) in 1852 so as to establish a copper mine. In 1862 the town of Springbokfontein was laid out. The-fontein (fountain) was dropped in later years.
The "Klipkoppie" was used during the Second Boer War as a fort by the Boers under General Manie Maritz as it provided an excellent vantage point across the valley. Remains of stone walls inside the koppie can still be seen today. Next to the "Klipkoppie" and the Springbok Cafe is the beautiful Klipkerk (Stone Church) which was built in 1921
