News and stories from days gone by, with a nod to our familiar local paper. We regularly add new old articles!
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Bridges in Aalten, Bredevoort and the surrounding hamlets
Aalten, Bredevoort and the surrounding buurtschappen have various bridges.
The Thomson-van Hopbergen family
A military family with Scottish roots in Bredevoort
Moving house
"On the rare occasion that a farmer moved, this took place on 'Saint Peter's Day', February 22nd."
Easter Bonfire
G.H. Rots described the Aalten Easter bonfire tradition in 1937.
New Year’s Eve & Day
In 1937, G.H. Rots described how New Year's Eve and Day used to be celebrated in Aalten.
Home Slaughtering
In November, home slaughterers used to have their hands full
History of the postal services in Aalten
In 1742, a certain Hendrik Hoopman drove to Zutphen twice a week.
The Heinen clockmakers of Aalten
They made and repaired watches, alarm clocks and tower clocks.
Bredevoort Gondola Parade
Annual event on Bredevoort’s Grote Gracht, now known as ‘Bredevoort Schittert’.
Adventurous couple
The emigration story of Willy Bulten and Peter Klaassen (1955)
Widening the Aalten–Bredevoort Road
De Graafschapbode, 15 March 1939
New Football Ground of ‘Aalten’ Opened
In 1938, football club Aalten opened its new ground between Bocholtschestraat and Bodendijk, now Sportpark Zuid.
Dzhigit Cossack Horsemen perform in Aalten
De Graafschapbode, 6 July 1938
An Easter Camp in the Achterhoek
During Easter 1938, a large Scout camp was held in Aalten with groups from Doetinchem, Oosterbeek, Winterswijk and Zutphen.
Night Watch & Constables
In 1937, G.H. Rots wrote about the ‘night watch’ and the constables in Aalten.
Carnival / Shrovetide
There was music in a few cafés, and only a few people appeared on the streets in jester costumes.
Farm Life
In 1937, G.H. Rots wrote about farm life in Aalten in the past.
