Zandvoort 1825-1939
Between the years 1825 and 1830 the population grew massively from 700 to 1403 inhabitants, Zandvoort having suddenly become the place to live, work and bathe. The tradespeople of the area were no longer restricted to fisherfolk but included potato growers and merchants among their number. Two schools were founded to meet this population growth, an infant school attended by 70 children and a village school which catered for about 150 children.
When a railway connection was made between Haarlem and Zandvoort in 1881 yet another great change came to the village. An arcade or row of shops (the Passage - left) was constructed next to the railway station, hotels were built, and on the two main boulevards (Favauge to the north and Paulus Loot to the south) there appeared large villas and boarding houses. Click photos to enlarge.
In 1895 the electric tram was laid in Zandvoort and this further enhanced its accessibility.
Right: The blue tram in the Princessenweg.
By 1921, with the laying out of the Zeeweg, Zandvoort was well on its way to becoming a familiar destination. Now a well-known seaside resort, the village and beach gave themselves gratefully to the service of their visitors and made the most of all the facilities.
With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, however, Zandvoort was set to face a terrible time of hardship and destruction.