Pol delved into the archives and discovered remarkable facts. For example, there was a Bailey bridge in the center of Hoogeveen during that time. This is a military emergency bridge that replaced the destroyed Juliana Bridge in the 1940s.
And that was quite special, according to the amateur historian. “Four bridge keepers were needed to raise and lower it. I think there were only two in Drenthe, in Hoogeveen and somewhere in North Drenthe, I understand.”
Pol points to an old photo, which shows water flowing through the center. “The cross,” he continues. “An intersection of waterways, where the Zuidwoldiger Bridge once stood over the water.”
But the bridge has not been there for some time now. When the water in Hoogeveen made room for roads, the crossing was moved to the Krakeel district. “Actually to honor the bridge. Nowadays it is a bicycle connection between two neighborhoods.”
At the end of this month, Hoogevener will present his book. It will finally be available for purchase in December. And does he already have a subject for a new book? He thinks that is still a bridge too far. “I’ll think about that some more.”