When declared magisterial district in 1876, the town was very fortunate to be appointed with a far seeing magistrate, Richard Beere. He insisted that trees be planted so that residents' descendants would have shade. Due to the increase in water consumption caused by the increase in residents, the spring that Hanover was built around, dried up, and the number of trees seen in the town today is far less than 100 years ago. Beere loved the Karoo and spent a lot of time on the summit of Trappieskop, where a stone pyramid honouring his contribution to the town was erected when he died.