It is a part of the municipality of Aa en Hunze, and lies about 10 km east of Assen.

The western square is elongated and contained the former havezate (manor house) Elentsborg which was demolished in 1838.

[5] During World War II, there was a submerged hut in the forest where people could shelter.

Of the eight onderduikers (people in hiding), three were captured and executed at Westerbork transit camp; the others managed to escape.

On 8 April 1945, three days before liberation, ten members of the Dutch Resistance were executed at the hut.

[8] The hunebed D9 [nl] is a small incomplete dolmen near the main road in the build-up area.

Some artefacts from the cellar have been recovered in 1879, and are on display in the British Museum, however the dolmen has not been scientifically researched yet.

It is an archaeological reserve, due to the presence of dolmen, and many ancient burial mounts.