Industrial Heritage
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century had a major impact on society. It resulted in an enormous increase in prosperity, which made consumer goods available to everyone. There are still many striking monuments scattered throughout Gelderland from the industrial era.
Industry
Gelderland’s industry is actually centuries old. For example, around 1740 the Veluwe region counted 168 paper mills that together formed one of the largest industries in the Netherlands. The streams of Gelderland provided power for dozens of paper mills, but also for corn mills and oil mills. Elburg and Harderwijk have been famous for centuries for their fishing fleet, rope-making shops and fish auctions.
Industrialization
In the 19th century there was a true explosion of industrial activity. The first factories were built right in the middle of the neighborhoods, or the other way around with the workers’ houses around the factory. Fine examples of industrialization are the DRU in Ulft and Grolsch in Groenlo. Dozens of brick factories sprung up on the floodplains of the rivers. The steam engine is also used to drain the polders, as shown by the steam pumping stations in Nijkerk and Putten. A very special application of technology is radio station Radio Kootwijk.
Infrastructure
Industrialization also included fast means of transportation to import raw materials and export products. Around 1800 canals were still the main transport routes, but during the 19th century the canal got competition from rail and streetcars. The train offered a great added value for the transport of passengers. For many people this literally opened up a whole new world. Thus, industry is an important contribution to our mobility and prosperity for all layers of the population. In return, we increasingly cherish our industrial developments.
