“Schalkwijk: a name whispered through centuries,” I begin. Schalkwijk’s story began in the 12th century. Imagine a vast, untamed marshland slowly yielding to human hands.
Here in Schalkwijk, pioneers began digging drainage canals. These canals flowed into the Vaartsche Rijn. This marked the start of Schalkwijk’s written history. The Bieshaar and Tetwijk areas were the first to be cultivated. Next came Waalseveld or Rietveld. Goyerveld, Kanenbroek, and Blokhoven followed.
Quickly a village took shape. It consisted of houses, a church, and a castle. This castle belonged to the area’s owner. Farms sprung up along the Schalkwijksewetering. They formed a long line. The western part was too wet so farms appeared along the Waalsewetering.
In 1304, the Lord of Schalkwijk became entangled in the Flemish-Hollandic War. While fleeing near Beusichem, he tried to cross the Lek. The Lord of Culemborg killed him. Culemborg then took ownership of Schalkwijk and demolished the castle.
By 1330, Pothuizen was added to Schalkwijk. A new Schalkwijk castle appeared in the 14th century. It gained recognition as a ridderhofstad. In 1633, the wealthy Jonkheer Ram acquired Schalkwijk and its castle. He used the castle’s chapel as a clandestine church. This led to complaints. In 1651, authorities raided the castle. As punishment, Jonkheer Ram was exiled.
Other Schalkwijk castles included Marckenburg, Blokhoven, and Vuijlcop. Vuijlcop is the oldest surviving house in Houten. Vuijlcop also became a ridderhofstad.
Schalkwijk served as a land route between Utrecht, Culemborg, and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The Schalkwijksewetering functioned as a waterway to Utrecht.
In 1868, the railway line cut through the village. A station opened but closed in 1935. The Heilige Michaelskerk appeared in the 19th century. It was so grand it earned the nickname “Cathedral of Het Sticht.”
After World War II, houses were built around the church. Schalkwijk’s center shifted from the Brink to the church. A supermarket and restaurant also appeared. The ribbon development became denser. However, large-scale construction remained limited.
Schalkwijk’s municipal journey is also interesting. In 1812, Schalkwijk, Tull en ‘t Waal, and Honswijk merged. Barend van der Pouw became the first mayor. In 1818, Schalkwijk became its own municipality.
In 1849, Schalkwijk had 148 houses and 1069 residents. Most lived along the Provincialeweg and in Pothuizen. The village center had 347 residents. Rietveld housed 169 people. Most were Catholic. Wealthy farmers wielded significant influence.
Initially, Schalkwijk had its own mayor. From 1850, Tull en ‘t Waal and Schalkwijk shared a mayor. The longest-serving was J.P. Kleinschmit. In 1962, Houten, Tull en ‘t Waal, and Schalkwijk merged. This created “Groot Houten.”
Schalkwijk, a village born from reclaimed marshes, evolved through war and peace. It transitioned from noble estates to a modern community. Its resilience remains etched in the land. It lives on in the stories of its people.