Explore Alteveer through its waterways, settlement history and individual places of remembrance. The village is a late peat colony and developed from the end of the 19th century on the border of the municipalities of Stadskanaal, formerly Onstwedde, and Pekela. To understand the place, it is not enough to look at individual buildings: canals, houses, the church and communal spaces reveal different aspects of its history.

Canals and Village Character

South of Alteveer, the Alteveerkanaal makes a bayonet-shaped bend before flowing into the Stadskanaal. It was built and connected to the Boerendiep to regulate the transport of peat. The Boerendiep runs parallel to the Stadskanaal. The Poortmanswijk, which had a lock, also connected Alteveer to the Pekelderdiep. These waterways give the village’s history an economic context: they served as routes and for transporting peat.

The canal landscape has changed. The central section of the canal in Alteveer was filled in, making it possible to remove the lifting bridge on Beumeesweg. The buildings reflect two important periods of development: the village’s beginnings around 1900 and the period shortly after the war. Notably low workers’ houses with Krimp stand at Beumeesweg 34, 42, 44, 70 and 166. A distinctive silo shapes the village skyline. The houses and silo offer different ways to explore Alteveer as a place that has grown over time.

Places of Remembrance and Architectural History

The liberation monument commemorates the liberation of Tange-Alteveer on 13 April 1945. The concrete column stands in the General Cemetery behind the N.H. Church on Beumesweg in Alteveer, municipality of Stadskanaal. The church’s history includes more than one building: the first church in Alteveer was built in 1902, and the present church in 1961.

A farmhouse also points to the area’s architectural past. The Oldambtster farmhouse at Barkelazwet 6 was probably built in 1937. Its cultural and architectural significance makes it another part of the local heritage. Together with the workers’ houses, it shows that the area’s architectural history is not limited to a single period.

Agriculture, Community and Activities

The agricultural history goes back to the founding of the Coöperatieve Aardappelzetmeelfabriek Alteveer: farmers founded it in 1911. After its last resident died in 1941, a sod hut was moved to the Openluchtmuseum in Arnhem. It is therefore part of Alteveer’s history, although it is now located outside the village.

De Drijscheer is a multifunctional centre with a social role and a place where people can meet. An interactive historical walking tour with QR codes at twelve locations has also been created to explore the area’s history. These features complement the visible architectural and canal history with community and storytelling perspectives.

As a seasonal activity, the IJsvereniging “De Toekomst” offers inline skating in summer on its track in Alteveer. Children can inline skate there from 11 May on Monday evenings from 18:30 to 19:30 under supervision. As exact dates and supervision arrangements may vary seasonally, check the current times before visiting. This fixed time information can help with planning without suggesting that the activity is available all year round.

Discover more destinations: Onstwedde, Stadskanaal, Mussel, Vledderveen.

Back to the main travel overview: Stadskanaal.