Erica (also Nieuw-Slagharen[3]) is a town in the north-eastern Netherlands. It is located in Emmen, Drenthe.[4] It started as a peat and buckwheat colony.

Erica
Town
Erica Location in province of Drenthe in the Netherlands Show map of Drenthe Erica Erica (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 52.71532°N 6.92596°E / 52.71532; 6.92596
Country	Netherlands
Province	Drenthe
Municipality	Emmen
Established	1863
Area [1]
• Total	24.53 km2 (9.47 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	16 m (52 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	4,740
• Density	190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	7887[1]
Dialing code	0591

History

Erica was established in 1863.[3] The first inhabitant came from Slagharen.[5]^: 67 A fuel shortage prompted large-scale efforts to drain the peat in the area and cut them for fuel. People were drawn to the area and canals were dug, both to drain the peat and to transport the cuts. Buckwheat was farmed on the drained peats.[3] It was originally called Nieuw-Slagharen, but has been renamed Erica after the heath plant.[6]

Erica started as a linear settlement. In 1867, the Hoogeveense Vaart [nl] was dug, and a second settlement was constructed. Later, the two were merged.[3] Many of the early inhabitants of Erica came from neighbouring Germany and were Roman Catholic, and in 1866, a Catholic church was built. The current church dates from 1933.[7][8] In 1932, Erica was home to 2,663 people.[5]^: 89

In 1897, the windmill De Heidebloem was constructed. It was restored in 1978, and is still in use to grind grain.[3][7] In the 1960s, greenhouse cultivation started in Erica.[9] Erica can reached via the A37 motorway.[10]

Gallery

• 
  Mill De Heidebloem
• 
  Jugendstil house in Erica
• 
  Church
• 
  Sod house near the canal (1997)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Erica (Drenthe).