Queen Astrid Park

QUEEN ASTRID PARK
Demarcation: Capucienenlaan, Sinte-Annalaan, Meuleschettestraat, Bert Van Hoorickstraat, Vredeplein, Arbeidstraat

The Queen Astrid Park, originally named Duivekeetpark, received its definitive name in 1948. The reason for the name change was to keep the commemoration of Queen Astrid alive. The park itself was created in 1939, a year later the pond was excavated.

The Duivekeetstraat officially got its name in 1932. The 17th-century inn de Duyve Keete was the source of inspiration for the naming. In 1938 it was decided to build a Duivekeet district, among other things by expanding a new park and new streets towards Gentsestraat and Koolstraat designed by L. Breydel. This new quarter located between the Gentsestraat, Gentsesteenweg, Schoolstraat and Koolstraat had an expanse of approximately 8.5 ha. Traffic would be facilitated and the new park would create an open space, which would be a relief for the numerous local residents. At the same time, a number of slum houses in the neighborhood were also eliminated that were always flooded by the flooding Siesegembeek during persistent rains. The card house in the park was only established in May 1948 by contractor Keppens from Lede for the price of 89,543 francs.

The Verlengde Spaarzaamheidstraat got its current street name after World War II: Verastenstraat. This honoured the resistance fighters executed and surprised during World War II.

In one of the older streets in the neighborhood, the Steenstraat (1901), 16 houses were built in 1923 by the S.M. Cheap Housing. Just like in the adjacent neighborhoods, various initiatives were taken at that time (after World War I) to alleviate the housing shortage.

The Secondary and Higher Technical School (the current VTI), which opened in 1911, ensured that the Klottestraat would be known as the Vakschoolstraat from 1929.

The Koolstraat was built in 1856. This street ran towards the Kolenmarkt (the current Esplanadeplein) and hence the name. In 1903-1904 the tram tracks for the Asse-Aalst-Oordegem line were built. The unloading quay and marshalling stop for the trams on the Gentsesteenweg and the beginning of the Koolstraat were abolished by the SNCB in 1947 after a request for this from the Aalst city council.

Just like the Verastenstraat, the Weggevoerdenstraat was created after World War II as a tribute to war victims, in this case both political prisoners and forced labourers during both world wars.

The oldest mention of the Gentsestraat dates back to 1796. In 1942 there were plans to rename this street Van Arteveldestraat. Until a few years ago, trucks loaded with barley drove into the gate of De Wolf-Cosyns. For many years, this company was one of the most important Belgian malthouses, focusing on export for breweries, distilleries, food companies, etc.

Since 1923, the Vlaanderenstraat has been home to the Feestpaleis, which was initially a theatre in addition to cinema.

Hofstede Het Wit Huys (1711) gave its name to the street in which it was located from the 19th century: the Withuisstraat.

Since 1476, the Nieuwbeekstraat has been known with certainty under that name. From 1930 to 1967, boys could go to the Urban Primary School for Boys in classrooms that were conceived "according to the modern regulations of education and school hygiene".

Kenny