It is a part of the municipality of Aa en Hunze, and lies about 20 km east of Assen.

[3] A canal was built around 1663 by Johan Struyck to excavate the peat in the area.

The colony wasn't very successfully until 1819 when the Gasselternijveenschemond was dug and connected the village to Stadskanaal.

[5] The Dutch Reformed church was built between 1858 and 1859, and a tower was added in 1879.

[4] Between 1905 and 1947, Gasselternijveen was connected to both the Zwolle to Stadskanaal railway and a branch line to Assen.