Clarens was established in 1912. The Village was the result of two farms sold; Leliehoek and Naauwpoort which were divided into plots. It formed the village which was named Clarens, after the History that President Paul Kruger was a voluntarily exile for his his last days in the Town of Clarens, in Switzerland!

Clarens is often referred to as a jewel’ of the Free State, and one such jewel is it’s Titanic Rock, the most notable sandstone cliff in the area. It is situated just 2 kms north of Clarens. The uniquely shaped rock forms part of Clarens History as it was named by a resident, after the Titanic ship tragically sunk. This was so named due to its remarkable resemblance and being shaped like the bow of the ship!