Surhuisterveen (West Frisian: Surhústerfean) is the largest of the 12 villages of the municipality of Achtkarspelen, in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. As of 1 January 2017, Surhuisterveen had a population of 5,929.[3]
General information
The village was first mentioned in 1603 as Surhustera feen.[4] Surhuisterveen began to develop at the end of the 16th century as peat-excavators and boatmen built their homes in the area. The name Surhuisterveen refers to the time of the peat-colonies, and means "the peat-bogs of Surhuizum". The earliest settlers were mainly Mennonites.[4] Surhuizum is another constituent village of Achtkarspelen, which is significantly smaller, but also significantly older than Surhuisterveen. After World War II, Surhuisterveen became a regional centre with an emphasis on retail.[5]
The Protestant Church was built in 1685. The Mennonite Church dates from 1801.[5] The grist mill Koartwâld or Feanstermoune was built in 1864. In 1907, an electro motor was installed. The windmill sail was damaged during a storm in 1946, and not repaired. The wind mill started to become a derelict, and only a ruin remained. In 1990, a restoration project started, and the wind mill was recommissioned in 1995.[6] Surhuisterveen was home to 1,289 people in 1840.[7]
