Location 2: Het Sluisje
In 1873, work began on widening the Grift Canal, the northern section of the Apeldoorn–Hattem Canal, which had existed since 1829. The locks were also renovated as part of this project. The aim was to make the canal accessible to vessels 30 metres long and 5.90 metres wide. In 1881, the locks – such as the Apeldoorn Lock shown here, complete with the lock-keeper’s house – were put into service.
The lock-keeper’s house, which still stands today, is of a type that was also used as a toll house. From the extension at the front of the house, the lock-keeper had a clear view in both directions, enabling him to see in good time from which side a ship was approaching the lock.
This location also played an important role in the liberation of Apeldoorn during the Second World War. At ‘het Sluisje’, there is a monument commemorating the brave resistance fighters Gijs Numan and Albert van de Scheur, who protected Apeldoorn from shelling during the liberation on 17 April 1945.
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The De Vlijt Paper Mill was the first paper mill in Apeldoorn. In 1593, Johan van Steenbergen the Younger leased a plot of land along the Grift and built a paper mill there. He only produced paper himself for a few years, after which he leased out the mill.
Over the years, the paper mill had many owners and grew steadily. In 1808, the mill came partly into the hands of J.H. Gunning, and in 1816, it passed entirely into his ownership. Under his ownership, the mill – which by then consisted of several mills – grew considerably in size. Gunning sold the mill to Jan Hendrik Ameshoff in 1824. In 1825, Ameshoff built the Marialust villa near the mill.
Ameshoff was an innovative entrepreneur who constantly strove for innovation. In 1840, he built a modern steam-powered factory alongside the existing mills. Unfortunately, the heyday of the paper industry in Apeldoorn was over, and in 1843 he sold the factory to Willem Hendrikus de Heus. This Utrecht-based manufacturer converted the paper mill into a copper rolling mill. The copper rolling mill was initially powered by water, but soon switched to a combination of steam engines and water power. In 1930, the factory was disconnected from the heavily polluted Grift and switched to electricity. This factory has since disappeared too, and a new residential estate was built on the site in 2023.
The Dutch lime tree: a feast for pollinators
Dutch lime trees line the canal with their broad, green crowns. In summer, their fragrant flowers fill the air and attract bees and bumblebees, which find plenty of nectar here. The tree provides shade and shelter for birds and small animals, whilst its roots hold the bank firmly in place, helping to prevent the soil from being washed away. Beneath the ground, the lime tree works in partnership with fungi that keep the soil healthy.
For farmers, the lime tree has an almost mythical significance. Many lime trees were planted generations ago. The tree often stands exactly between the farmyard and the open countryside, like a natural sentinel.
In old folk tales, the lime tree was believed to ward off lightning. Its broad crown shelters the area from the strong westerly wind, keeping the farmyard calmer. In days gone by, justice was administered, celebrations held and mourning observed beneath a lime tree.
But the lime tree does more than just protect the farmer. It is a world unto itself, a thriving ecosystem that attracts and sustains life. For instance, the lime tree is a paradise for insects. In June, the air fills with the sweet scent of lime blossom. Bees, bumblebees and butterflies flock to the nectar in droves. For many species of bee, the lime tree is one of the most important sources of food of the year.
The lime tree also provides shelter for birds. Starlings and titmice nest in the hollows of the old trunk. High up in the crown, a pigeon will sometimes build its nest, safely hidden amongst the leaves. The leaves of the lime tree decompose quickly and enrich the soil with nutrients. Around the trunk, herbs and flowers grow that would hardly stand a chance elsewhere in the garden.
For example, the Dutch lime trees lining the canal are not only a sight to behold, but also an important source of food, shelter and stability in the landscape.
The willow: an important source of food for insects
Along the canal stand several willow trees, their branches arching gracefully over the water. Their roots grow deep and firmly into the wet bank, helping to prevent the soil from being washed away. The willow’s soft catkins provide an early source of food for bees and other insects, just when there are few other plants in bloom. Birds find a safe place to rest or nest amongst the supple branches.
Small aquatic creatures take refuge amongst the roots, and the fallen leaves provide food for life in the water and on the bank. The willow trees along the canal thus play a vital role: they stabilise the bank, provide food for insects and offer shelter to countless animals.
