Pole height

Watchtower de Poolshoogte is located on a hill on the Boswachter Meelkerlaan in forestry Odoorn. The top of the hill is 38 meters above sea level

In 1934, a hill of 13 meters height was realized by order of forester Meelker, (38 meters above sea level). The hill was named Polish Height. The hill was made as part of the provision of work. The workers did this with shovel and wheelbarrow. A journalist who described the raising of the hill called it, because of the blood blisters on the hands of the workers, the Blood Mountain of Exloo. This unofficial name is still used.

By 1968, the young plantings had grown to such an extent that the view from the hill was obstructed by the trees. In order to be able to keep a close eye on the surroundings and to signal possible forest fires, a tower was built on top of the hill. This tower was a former tower of the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij. This tower lost its function as a 'fire tower' in 1999 and was replaced in 2000 by a new viewing tower of 18 meters high that was opened to the public.
From the current watchtower you have a fantastic view over the surrounding area. From the TV tower in Smilde to the windmills in Germany. In clear weather one can see for miles. Two paths lead to the foot of the tower via the 'hill', each of which starts on one side of the hill.

In the fifties, a small thatched tea house was built at the foot of the hill, where people could initially go for a cup of coffee and tea. Later one could also obtain soft drinks, lemonades and ice cream here. In 1983, the Venema family took over the operation of the tea house. Over the years, the range was expanded to include pastries, lunch and dinner dishes. The Terrace Restaurant became a busy place, which resulted in the tea house being expanded. At the beginning of 2009, the ground was excavated for the construction of the new Terrace Restaurant. In the meantime, the construction work has been completed and there is a modern building with a nod to the past. In the late summer of 2009, the completely renovated Terrace Restaurant opened its doors.

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