[3] The village was first mentioned in 1861 as Houtige Hagen, and means "fenced off area with trees".

The unemployed of the Houtigehage started to cultivate the area and improve the infrastructure.

At the village meeting, the mayor announced that they would not get paid for the activities, and that there was simply no money for the improvement of infrastructure, because the government refused to provide subsidies.

The debate became heated, and the mayor ordered the police to clear the meeting.

The villagers took their protest to The Hague where Minister Joris in 't Veld was willing to meet with them, and explained that no application for a subsidy had ever been filed, and that there had been no contact with the mayor or municipality whatsoever.