Once upon a time, Count Florence V of Holland decided to build a dam. This dam would forever change a village. That village is Spaarndam-Oost.
Welcome to Spaarndam-Oost a part of the double village of Spaarndam. Spaarndam-Oost is located in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. Spaarndam-West is part of the municipality of Haarlem.
Let’s dive into the story of Spaarndam-Oost. In 1285, Count Florence V built a dam at the confluence of the Spaarne and the IJ. The Spaarne was a natural link between the Haarlemmermeer and the IJ. The IJ was then a bay of the Zuiderzee.
After storm surges in 1248, people built a dike with sluices at the Spaarne’s mouth. This was in the IJ. The Spaarndammerdijk became Rijnland water board’s most important drainage. Dike village Spaarndam and other sluices and locks were constructed.
The IJdijk was once the only land route between Haarlem and Amsterdam. It served as a road and trade route. Spaarndam residents earned their living from tolls and fishing. Spaarndam was an independent municipality from 1812 to 1927.
Spaarndam-Oost grew significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries. This was due to impoldering and population growth. Today, many residents commute to work.
The Spaarne still holds economic importance. It connects the Haarlemmermeerpolder’s Ringvaart to the North Sea Canal. Cargo ships and pleasure boats use the Spaarne. Houseboats often berth in the quieter southern part.
Spaarndam is known for a story in the 1865 American novel, Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates. It tells of a Dutch boy, “The Hero of Haarlem.” He put his finger in a dike to stop a flood. This story became a legend in America. In 1950, a statue of this boy was placed in Spaarndam.
In 1845, Spaarndam saw a modern steam pumping station in action. By 1939, it switched to diesel. The 1990 renovation brought diesel engines with 309 and 403 kilowatts. These drive five chain pumps. Each pump has a diameter of 5.70 meters. Their length measures 24 meters. One person can operate the station. It pumps a maximum of 32 cubic meters of water per second. An Archimedean screw can pump an extra 5 cubic meters per second during floods.
After the Haarlemmermeer drained in 1852, the Spaarne’s discharge and depth fell. The North Sea Canal’s completion in 1876 also diverted water. Side canal F connected to the Ringvaart. Haarlem eventually dredged the riverbed. This prevented silting.
Spaarndam-Oost is home to the Catholic Sint Adalbertus church. You can also find the Samen op Weg church here. Young people can enjoy Don Bosco. There is also the Herensociëteit Spaarndam. Vrouwen van Nu has a local branch here. Residents can also join the Tennisvereniging Spaarndam. Or they can participate in the Die Spaerne Gesehlen theater group.
South of Spaarndam-Oost is De Slokop. This polder mill once drained the Vereenigde Binnenpolder.
Today, Spaarndam-Oost is more than just a village. It represents the ongoing battle against water. It shows Dutch ingenuity and community spirit. Remember the story of Hans Brinker. Think of the dikes and pumping stations. Spaarndam-Oost is a testament to the Netherlands’ enduring connection with water.