Baron van Dedem pillar - Dedemsvaart

Willem Jan baron van Dedem (1776-1851) was a Dutch lawyer and landowner who played a crucial role in the reclamation of the peat area between Hasselt and Gramsbergen. In 1809, he obtained permission from King Louis Napoleon to dig a canal, known as the Dedemsvaart, with the aim of making the peat accessible for peat extraction and agriculture. Construction of the canal began in July 1809 and in 1811 reached Balkbrug, where the raised bog was located. In the same year, the settlement of Dedemsvaart was founded.

Despite his efforts, Van Dedem faced financial problems from 1817 onwards. In 1825, he was forced to sell the canal and associated works to the government for 400,000 guilders.

Later, in 1828, he bought the canal back with the help of Amsterdam merchant Jan Heere, but the venture remained financially fragile. Finally, in 1845, Van Dedem sold the canal, including bridges and locks, to the province of Overijssel.

Van Dedem died on 21 November 1851 at his house ‘de Rollecate’ in Nieuwleusen. On 26 November 1851, he was buried at the cemetery in Dedemsvaart, where a large procession of people from all walks of life paid their last respects to him.

In memory of his contributions, a monument to him was unveiled in Dedemsvaart on 21 July 1859.

Photo to illustrate.