Rayton started life as a spill over from the discovery of diamonds and the development of the Premier Mine in nearby Cullinan. The quality of the Cullinan diamonds was legendary and diggers poured in. With all this activity, the mining company built an offshoot from the main Pretoria Delagoa Bay line to Rayton. Rayton is named after the first manager of the Montrose Diamond Mining Company, Colonel Balliston’s wife – Lady Rachel Ray Williston.
When the diamond rush was over, Rayton became little more than a ghost town following the second world war. It is good to know that today the town is a thriving village that boasts some fine examples of classic architecture that have survived the ages. It is also home to the excellent Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum.
Take the N4 from Pretoria towards Witbank. Turn onto the Rayton/Cullinan/Bronkhorstspruit Road, the R104, and follow the signs to Rayton.
