In Eesergroen, the reclamation of the Eeserveld, the construction of a canal branch and the layout of the ribbon village mark different stages in the area's history. At the same time, the village lies between three extensive woodland and heathland areas. You can therefore shape your stay around two perspectives: the village's development and the surrounding landscape.
Local history: from the Eeserveld to a ribbon village
The village dates back to 1882. At that time, the Eeserveld was reclaimed and the first pioneers settled there. In 1930, a branch of the Buinen-Schoonoord Canal was dug to serve the reclamation village of Eesergroen. Another historical turning point followed in 1975, when Eesergroen's small harbour and turning basin were filled in.
The settlement's layout gives this history a spatial dimension. Eesergroen developed into a ribbon village, with buildings mainly on both sides of Dorpsstraat, the main road from Ees towards Eeserveen. A small village centre grew up at the junction of Dorpsstraat and Turfstraat. The elongated buildings along the road and a central point at the crossroads are thus two distinct features of the village's layout.
The village's religious history also has a clearly defined period: from 1917 to 1975, Eesergroen had a Reformed chapel run by the Maranatha Evangelism Association. The former Maranatha Chapel, with its whitewashed walls, is now a holiday home.
Woodland, heathland and art in the surrounding area
Eesergroen lies between three extensive woodland and heathland areas: Boswachterij van Schoonloo, Boswachterij Exloo and Boswachterij Odoorn. In the surrounding area, Drenthe heath sheep helped the Schapenpark develop into a heathland landscape. The history of the landscape is therefore part of the region's character, alongside its named woodland and heathland areas.
The artwork “Ode aan de Zon” stands on the northern edge of the Schapenpark. Two distinct aspects come together in this same park landscape: the development of heathland with the help of Drenthe heath sheep, and an artwork on the edge of the park.
In the surrounding area, an alternative route from junction 6 leads to Poolshoogte, a hill with an observation tower in Boswachterij Odoorn. Poolshoogte offers sweeping views across the wider area. This offers a different perspective from the village history: here, the landscape is the route's main destination.
Route starting point and a note about afternoon tea
The Knapzakroute Westdorp–Eesergroen lists Dorpsstraat 2, 9537 TC Eesergroen, as its starting point in Eesergroen. The route guide is older, and the business listed there as the starting point may have changed since then. Please check the starting point before setting out.
An article about afternoon tea in Drenthe mentions Lucy’s Inn in Eesergroen as a place to have afternoon tea. Please check the current opening hours before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Tweede Exloërmond, Bronneger, Drouwenermond, Odoornerveen, Ees, Valthermond, Drouwen, Odoorn.
For the full travel overview: Borger-Odoorn.
