Stationsstraat Geldrop

Between 1910-1913, the construction of the railway line Eindhoven-Weert via Geldrop began. The connection and station were opened on October 30, 1913. Thanks to the efforts of textile manufacturer Vincent van den Heuvel and Member of Parliament Regout, the municipality of Geldrop was given an access road to the new station with the Stationsstraat. At the same time, the construction of Parallelweg started.

1913 - Opening

October 30, 1913, is written with golden letters in the history of Geldrop. The opening of the railway is of the utmost importance to us. The industry had gone through its most difficult days precisely because it was deprived of means of transport, and it was only thanks to the diligence of the residents that it was not destroyed by fierce competition.

Herenhuizen

More and more stately mansions were built in the Stationsstraat. Opposite the station, M. Schonk (1914) built a station coffee house with bowling lanes and the hotel "Het Hof van Holland" was built for the ladies Peijnenburg. "Philoxenia" by Willem Goossens was a striking house. The Van Agt family later lived here.

Video about living and working in the former wool blanket factory of P. de Wit.

Textile Factory P. de Wit

Thanks to the station and better access (roads), textile companies established themselves in this neighbourhood. Among others the woollen blanket factory of P. de Wit (Helmond). In April 1912, De Wit started a textile factory in empty buildings on the Helze. More than a year later, he built a new factory on Parallelweg. The facade of this factory is still there.

Interview with Ellen van Helmond-Klomp. Her father worked many years as a draftsman at Wollendekenfabriek de Wit.

Peijnenburg

The Peijenburg factory rear was situated on the Stationsstraat. An old cast-iron gate containing three biscuit bakers is still visible. In 1883, the Geldrop baker Harry Peijnenburg received a commercial license for bread and biscuits. This laid the foundation for a company that, 130 years later, has grown into a successful manufacturer of gingerbread, biscuits, luxury biscuits and in-between products.

During the crisis years (1929-1938), Johan saw an opportunity to keep the company afloat thanks to his inventiveness. In 1933, for example, he launched a Surprisekoek on the market, a gingerbread that comes with a nice treat. Customers particularly appreciate these kinds of extras in difficult times. It ensures that Peijnenburg is becoming a household name in Brabant households.

The Provincial Road from Eindhoven to Geldrop was an ideal location for industries. There were factories such as the straw shell factory of Govers, the agricultural machine factory of Zweigers, Peijnenburg's Koekfabriek and the textile factory of Pessers.

Weaving the Past with the Present - Textile Factory

The first photo still shows the old textile factory of P. de Wit & Co.
Weaving the Past with the Present - Textile Factory

The second photo shows Parallelweg, around 1970. Now the factory offers space for lofts and homes.

Weaving the Past with the Present - Stationsstraat

The Stationsstraat, around 1920. On the right of the photo a villa, the later Hoppenhof, in which restaurant Den Hoppenhof was located. This building had been nominated for years to be demolished and replaced.
Weaving the Past with the Present - Stationsstraat

It was completely demolished after a recent fire. Now there is a monumental villa with six luxury apartments. In the background the St. Brigida Church.