Bleskensgraaf

Bleskensgraaf
Bleskensgraaf
Country	Netherlands
Province	Zuid-Holland
Municipality	Graafstroom
Population	2,788

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The town centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Bleskensgraaf in the municipality of Graafstroom.

Bleskensgraaf (51°52′N 4°47′E / 51.867°N 4.783°E / 51.867; 4.783) is a town in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Graafstroom, and lies about 10 km northeast of Dordrecht. It has an area of 1272 hectares. On the 1st of January 2009 Bleskensgraaf and Hofwegen had 2797 inhabitants in 936 residences

Until 1855, Bleskensgraaf was a separate municipality. In 1855 the municipality Bleskensgraaf and the heerlijkheid or seigniory 'Hofwegen' merged into one municipality named 'Bleskensgraaf and Hofwegen'. In 1986 it became the new municipality Graafstroom together with 6 adjacent towns. The town hall of Graafstroom is located in Bleskensgraaf.

The town got its name because of the landlord (count) "Willem van Blassekijn". Over the years the name Blassekijnsgraeve changed into Bleskensgraaf.

On letters it often says "Bleskensgraaf CA". CA stands for 'cum annexis' which means 'with surroundings'.

The centre of Bleskensgraaf is made up out of new buildings. The old centre was bombarded during the Second World War at 06:25 on May 12, 1940. Seven people died and forty houses were destroyed. The town hall was leveled and the church sustained irreparable damage. The reconstruction was fast and took a couple of years. In September 1948 the new church officially openend and the new town hall openend on May 12, 1955.

Old buildings that remain are a couple of windmills: flourmill 'Molen de Vriendschap' (Mill the Friendship) built in 1890 and two Hollow post mills, named the 'Hofwegense Molen' and the 'Wingerdse Molen' built in 1513 and many old farmhouses.