| When the railway line between East London and
Queenstown was first built it bypassed Stutterheim by
several kilometers. It was built during the Frontier War
of 1877-1878 when the gangers (railway workers) were in
danger of attack by Xhosa tribes. To protect the gangers,
fortified "gangers cottages" were built.
Cottage No. 17 is situated on the Komga road which
brances off the main road at Dohne Station. The cottage
was declared a National monument on 3 December 1976.
There are four tambours one on each corner, with slits so
that the gangers could defend themselves against attack.
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