After 1700 the settlers in the Swellendam area, was looking for more land to farm on and area around Barrydale was particularly desirable. Although the BArrydale area had enough water and good soil they couldn’t see their way through the Langeberg mountains to sell their produce in Swellendam because there was no wagon tracks and such a trip would be very time consuming. In 1867 plans were made for the construction of a road, to be built by convicts, through the Langeberg linking Swellendam and what is now the village of Barrydale. The ruins of the old Jail used during the construction of the pass. can still be seen today.
In time the farmers who settled on the lands in the valley at the top of the Tradouw Pass decided they wanted their own church and the chosen spot was at the point where the R62 and R324 meet. Thus the village owes its existence to both a church and crossroads.
In 1878 land was purchased from the Cellar brothers and the Dutch Reformed Community of Barrydale came into being on 8 September 1880, prior to which it had been under the jurisdiction of Swellendam.
The village was named after James Barry, an early settler in the Overberg, who was not only a trader but acted as lawyer, agent and auctioneer, deputy sheriff and commandant of militia. He became a member of the legislative Council when representative government was granted to the Cape in 1854.
After the collapse of the “Barrydale Empire”, William Sterner, who arrived as a “smous”, became Barrydale’s financial success story owning the general dealer shop, the hotel, the draper’s, the shoemaker’s and the gunsmith’s. By this time there was only a few houses and a school.
Barrydale grew over the years and by 1921 the Municipality was established. The Barrydale Koöperative Wynkelder was formed in 1940 and distillery set up. The farmers were encouraged to plant vineyards, and orchards, growing fruit for canning and export.
Barrydale, like all little Little Karoo villages, has known times of hardship and prosperity. Today is the centre of a prosperous farming district, it enjoys perfect year round weather and its wonderful scenic setting attracts a steadily growing number of visitors.