The early Khoi-Khoi people discovered the springs long before Europeans came to the Cape. Only after Europeans settled in the Cape, the Caledon springs became increasingly famous. Actual development started in 1710 when Ferdinand Appel secured a grant of 10 ha in the area on condition that he erects a building for the use of visitors to the curative waters. However, the Bot River, a days journey by wagon from the springs, is indicated on a map dated 1662 and it is thus likely that the mineral waters were visited well before the 18th century.

The Khoisan originally discovered this ancient route.  The unusual word “tradau” means “the way of the women”  and is believed to be derived from the Khoi words tra, signifying “women” and dau, denoting “way through”. Magnificent galleries of rock paintings in the numerous caves are all that are left from the Khoisan era. The Tradouw Pass is but one of thirteen passes that master road engineer Sir Thomas Bain built in the Southern Cape during the 1800’s and to fully appreciate the character of the Tradouw Pass you have to delve into its vibrant days of yesteryear.

Barrydale hou storie-aand oor handsentraledae 

Barrydalers word teruggevoer tydens 'n "storie-aand" na die dae toe drie minute baie langer as deesdae was. Twee van Barrydale se langasem-sentralebeamptes en vertellers wat elk 39 jaar die telefoonlyne aan die brand gehou het, het die aand met die mense gesels. Dit was die dae toe almal eers die sentrale by die skakelbord moes bel, waarvandaan die persoon na die verlangde nommer deurgeskakel is.