Senekal was established in 1877 and lies amidst the panoramic splendour of the Eastern Free State, on the main route (N5) between Bloemfontein and Durban. The town was named after Commandant FP Senekal and founded on the farm De Put. The magnificent Dutch Reformed Mother Church rests in the middle of the town, and is "protected" by fascinating prehistoric petrified tree trunks which were discovered in the area. Senekal, with its enviable climate, atmospheric scenery and majestic star studded nights, is situated only 25km from the renowned Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve.
Jan Cilliers, the Voortrekker pioneer and brother of the well known Sarel Cilliers, was the first owner of the farm Biddulphsberg. During 1950 the remains of Jan Cilliers, his wife and son was exhumed by his descendants and buried in the family graveyard.
Jacob Stephanus Erasmus, the ancestor of the current owner of Biddulphsberg, bought the farm Biddulphsberg on 27 December 1873.