Location

History Vierhouten
Vierhouten is a very old village. When it exactly originated remains the question. In history books dating back to the year 996 you can find references to "The Vierhouterbos" in the form of 4 forests. With these 4 forests were meant "The Elspeterbos", "The Vreebos", "The Gortelsebos" and "The Vierhouterbos”. Thus, the name Vierhouten (Fourforests). Other historians argue that this finding is not based on facts and therefore there is no simple answer to the origin of the village. What we do know is that the forests around Vierhouten were used primarily as a hunting ground for the dukes of Gelre and other noble families, right until the Dutch Royal family banned it. Other publications show that in the last century the forests were also used for the extraction of firewood and charcoal. The first inhabitants of Vierhouten probably date back to prehistoric times. They were peasants who drove their pigs and cows into the forest. In any case, in the 15th century they consisted mainly of sheep farmers. Because farmland was scarce they let the sheep graze the heath-fields surrounding Vierhouten.

During WWII, Pas-op and Hidden Village
The area around Hotel Guest House Vierhouten is rich in history. At the junction of the Tongerenseweg (where our hotel is located) and the Pas-Op road is the state forester's house called " Pas-op”. The name ‘Pas-Op’ recalls to earlier times when bandits used to rob passengers, but later on it became the road leading to the Hidden Village. The Hidden Village is a hiding camp where many Jews stayed during the war. Between February '43 and October '44 approximately 80 to 100 Jews stayed in the Hidden Village. The "village" consisted of a number of primitive huts. Late October 1944 two SS men who were hunting in the area discovered the village. Of the 86 Jews hiding 8 were captured and later shot in the Tongerenseweg and near the Paasheuvel. As a commemoration, three cabins are rebuilt and in
1995 a memorial stone was placed at the Tongerenseweg.

Vierhouten in the 21st Century
Of course Vierhouten has changed over the years, yet much of
the village’s charming character is still preserved. In all seasons
Vierhouten holds special attraction for people.
You can enjoy the unspoilt nature, the vast heath, sand drifts,
several pine forests, oak woods and see and hear deer,
boars, foxes, badgers and birds ...

Source used: ‘Zo as ‘t vrogger was’, Aart Visser, Jan Hendriks.