A forgotten village reborn. That’s the story of Boesingheliede. This small hamlet in the Haarlemmermeer municipality. West of Amsterdam it boasts a unique history.
Boesingheliede isn’t just a collection of houses. It’s a place with layers of history. An earlier Boesingheliede existed near Nieuwerkerk. That village vanished around 1450. Floods from peat extraction destroyed it. The current Boesingheliede rose from the ashes after the Haarlemmermeer was drained in 1850.
The name itself changed over time. Around 1872 it was Nieuwerkerkerhoek. Then around 1924 it became Dyserinck. Finally in 1959 it settled on Boesingheliede. This reflects the resilience of the community. Its ability to adapt and survive despite the odds.
The heart of modern Boesingheliede is its pumping station. A true gem of Amsterdam School architecture. This pumping station. A testament to the area’s ongoing struggle with water. It stands as a symbol of control and mastery. Over the capricious nature of the Haarlemmermeer. Brickwork and ornate facades characterize it. It’s one of the few examples of this architectural style in Haarlemmermeer. Today it functions as part of Amsterdam’s Municipal Water Company.
Boesingheliede. A tiny village with a big story. A story of survival. A story of transformation. A story of enduring spirit. The pumping station is the perfect symbol. Of this enduring strength in the face of overwhelming challenges.