Beets celebrates 800 years
Beets is one of the oldest villages in the municipality of Opsterland. People have lived in the area since the 11th or 12th century. At that time, the Sint Gertrudiskerk was also built. Two old bells have been preserved from this church. These are on display in Museum Opsterland. Special sarcophagi of important people who were buried in the church have also been found.
Beets in old documents
Beets used to be an important village. In 1230 it was mentioned as the seat of the deanate of Bornego. In old texts the name of the village appears in different ways:
- Beke (1315)
- Beetze (1483)
These names probably refer to the small river Ald Djip, also called Boorne or Koningsdiep.
The oldest mention of Beets is from 1225. Then abbot Siardus of the monastery Mariëngaarde traveled via Beets to Bakkeveen. An old book says that in Beets he met a woman whom he called his spiritual daughter. She gave him beer for the road.
From Beets to Beetsterzwaag
In the course of time, the center of the village shifted to Beetsterzwaag. The name Beetsterzwaag comes from the "sweach," the low meadows that used to belong to Beets.
A book from 1788 states that Beets used to be larger. It consisted of scattered houses along the road from Beetsterzwaag to the west. The village had fertile soil and no moors. Therefore, people worked mostly in agriculture and with cattle.
Origin of Nij Beets
In 1863, a new village center arose in the polder area of Beets. This was called Nieuw Beets, now known as Nij Beets. The original village was then given the name Oud Beets.
In 1925, Oud Beets became part of Beetsterzwaag. In the 1950s the village association asked for a new name. The town council then chose Nij Beets.
Changes in the 20th century
- In 1958, the construction of State Highway 43 split the village in two.
- The 1889 Adels Church was demolished in 1984.
- In 1988, a new belfry came into the cemetery.
- Since 2014, Oud Beets has been officially recognized as a hamlet.
