Right here at Meidoornplein, you are in a unique location in Amsterdam-Noord. This square is a rectangle. It is an integral part of Amsterdam’s history.
Meidoornplein got its name on January 21, 1920. The name came from Meidoornlaan. Meidoornlaan already had its name in 1919. Both are named after the hawthorn plant called Meidoorn in Dutch. Meidoornlaan intersects the square. The square and its surroundings are part of a protected cityscape.
Let’s talk about the area around Meidoornplein. It is known as the Bloemenbuurt. This translates to the Flower neighborhood. It is in the Van der Pekbuurt. Jan Ernst van der Pek designed worker houses for this whole area, including here. These are small houses with porticoes. They have two floors and an attic under a pointed roof with tiles. The colors of the houses are consistent. They feature brownish-red brick, mustard-yellow accents in the woodwork, and green doors.
Symmetry is a key design principle here. In the middle of the square is a building in the same style. However, this one was designed by an architect from the Public Works Department. The houses are considered architecturally significant. They are ranked as order 2, which means almost a monument. The building in the middle of the square is ranked lower. Originally a reading room, it is order 3. It is worth preserving but less significant. The houses have likely been renovated multiple times. They needed to be updated to meet modern needs and standards.
The south side of Meidoornplein has a different story. Initially, it was kept open as a grass field. But in the 1980s, due to urban densification towards Hagedoornplein, it was filled with a school and an office. These were designed by architect Pi de Bruijn. An artistic artwork was even initiated. However, in 2023 and 2024, these buildings were demolished. The Mikado sculpture by Han Goan Lim also disappeared.
Now, I want to share a tragic event that touched Meidoornplein. On July 25, 1943, English pilots attacked the Fokker factory. The goal was to stop the factory from working for the German air force. The English used smaller Mitchell B-25 bombers. These could fly lower for better aiming. Eight of over 80 bombs hit the Fokker factory. Sadly, others fell on residential areas.
On the Laanweg, a family suffered a great loss. The Overdiek family’s home was hit. Mother Overdiek and five children died. Father and daughter Annie had to bury their loved ones.
Their grave is at the Nieuwe Noorder cemetery. It is to the left of the monument. This monument commemorates the 206 victims of the July 1943 bombings. A manhole cover near the former Laanweg lists victims alphabetically. This list includes those who died in the bombing.
Meidoornplein is more than just a square. It’s a place with layers of history. It shows architectural design. It bears witness to wartime tragedies. It represents community changes over time. Take a moment to reflect on the stories held within this space. It connects us to the past.