Den Hulst

Hulsterplas lake, dug south of the Dedemsvaart when the canal was filled in, is part of Den Hulst, as is the northern end of Burgemeester Backxlaan, the street that connects it with the historical core of Nieuwleusen.

West of Den Hulst, at the junction of the N377 and the A28 motorway, is De Lichtmis, the location of a historical sconce and today a hub of roadside facilities including a motel and restaurants.

The canal in question is not the Dedemsvaart, which was started in 1809, but the earlier and smaller Beentjesgraven, a drainage channel a bit further north which still exists.

[3] The Dedemsvaart's patron, Willem Jan baron Van Dedem, wrote about his canal: Den Hulst was located at lock number three and the Ommerdieker bridge.

The steam tram took people from Den Hulst to the city of Zwolle until it became an antiquated form of long-distance transportation, when the tracks were removed.

Den Hulst gradually merged with the settlement of Nieuwleusen to the south, which had its origin in peat cutting and agricultural activity.

The school was called Rollecate after baron Van Dedem's estate of that name, which he had made available to enable the founding of the college.

Rollecate mansion had been built in Vollenhove around 1654-1655 and Van Dedem had moved it to Den Hulst in 1821, where he had a view of his canal.

[11] After World War II, the Dedemsvaart canal lost its economic significance due to the rise in motorised land transportation.