Wenum-Wiesel

Wenum was first attested in 1335 as "in der Merck to Wenen",[3] however the watermill was already mentioned in 1313.[4] The etymology of the name is unclear.[3] Wiesel was first attested in 1337 as Wiessel, and means pasture near a forest.[5]

In 1684, William III of Orange bought approximately 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) of forest and heath in the area as a crown land. The land included the village of Wiesel. He intended to build his palace in Hoog Soeren, but changed his mind and bought Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn.[6][7] In 1840, Wenum was home to 256 people, and Wiesel to 243 people.[8]

In 1876, the Amsterdam–Zutphen railway was completed, and William III of the Netherlands wanted a side track to his palace. In 1887, the Apeldoorn–Zwolle railway line was completed and partially used the side track. A railway stop was constructed at Wenum. The station closed in 1938.[9][10] In 1840, the gristmill Grondzeiler Wenum was built in Wenum. The current windmill dates from 1913.[11]

In 1978, the hamlets of Wenum and Wiesel merged into the twin village Wenum-Wiesel. The hamlets are still somewhat separated. The place name signs are chaotic and sometimes use the combined name, or the individual hamlet. The village has a combined school, and village council.[8]

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  Windmill Grondzeiler Wenum
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  Klein Cannenburgh
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  Watermill of Wenum
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  Farm in Wenum