A Railway connection with Witwatersrand was an important happening in the economic development of Bethal. On 2 October 1905, the first passenger train from Johannesburg came to Bethal. This was an important milestone in the history of Bethal and several prominent persons were present at the event, including Mr and Mrs Fotheringham, Mr and Mrs Vermooten, Rev and Mrs Liebenberg and Mr Broers. The Railway line meant that regular delivery of mail a reality instead of relying on the conventional cart from Standerton. Coal, during the time, at the mines Vischkuil, occupied the largest percentage of goods transported. In 1913 the Chamber of Commerce was founded. The main and largest company at the time was the General Traders Company of Festenstein and Freed, at the corner of Church and Plein Streets, where Volks Furnishers and Potato Co-operation currently are. Across Festenstein and Freed, where East Auto Spares is today, was the shop of J Oleska and that of Broads Fradin General Traders, where Russels currently is. General Dealer of Schlosberg and Stazunsky’s enterprise was on the corner of Market and Clerq streets, where Bethal Delicatessen’s old building was taken down and a new one erected. Schlosberg and Stazunsky traded here for many years in the past The old store of Festenstein and Freed 92
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