''Boones Blijk'' round Klein Engeland

former Bleaching Factory, protected monument

Former bleaching factory known as "Boones Blijk", formerly "Vermandens Blijk". The bleaching industry in Turnhout originated in the hamlet of Heizijde in 1654 on the initiative of Peter Van de Venne and Jan Theeus. In 1664 owned by Steven Joosten, it was transferred in 1707 to the Stadhouders-Joosten families. In 1739, Domenicus Vermanden bought the declining business and soon brought it to great prosperity: he had the currently existing industrial building erected, had several meters of canals dug to direct water from the ponds to bleaching meadows and washing reservoirs, had heathland cultivated, expanded the area of the bleaching factory, and established avenues. For this purpose, he negotiated with the owners of the surrounding lands, managed to acquire disputed parcels, and could have the destination of bleaching lands established; three ponds: the Eerste Ven, the Tweede Ven, and the Peerdsven were fully transferred to him (see Drievennenstraat). He succeeded in obtaining numerous freedom letters or "Sauvegardes" from the highest authorities, thus securing his business against suspension, plunder, quartering, etc. In 1804, the bleaching factory ceased to exist; the "factory" was converted into a residence, and the surrounding bleaching fields were transformed into a park. Vermanden's daughter sold the property to Louis Van Hal. His grandson Emile Boone, owner since 1893, enlarged the existing building with an eastern extension, which was flattened by bombing in 1944, and built the chapel in 1904.