Kolham
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kolham
| settlement_type = Village
| other_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image_skyline = File:Kolham, Hoofdweg 44 - Hervormde Kerk -2015-001.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Church at Kolham
| image_flag =
| image_shield =
| nickname =
| motto =
| pushpin_map = Netherlands Groningen#Netherlands
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in province of Groningen in the Netherlands
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Groningen
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Midden-Groningen
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_party =
| coordinates = {{coord|53.1815|6.7427|region:NL-GR|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m = 1
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| area_total_km2 = 9.91
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| established_title =
| established_date =
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_excel/2021/48/kwb-2021.xls |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Central Bureau of Statistics |access-date=6 March 2022}}
| population_total = 1,345
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| timezone = CET
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = CEST
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 9615
| area_code_type = Dialing code
| area_code = 0598
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Kolham is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is part of the municipality of Midden-Groningen. In 1959, natural gas was discovered at Kolham. Later, it was revealed that Groningen gas field was the largest natural gas field in Europe.
History
Kolham was originally a road village on a sandy ridge.{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu04_01/sten009monu04_01_0052.php |title=Kolham |author=Redmer Alma |year=1998 |publisher=Waanders Uitgevers |location=Zwolle |isbn=90 400 9258 3 |language=nl |access-date=6 March 2022}} It was first mentioned as Hamme in 1266. The suffix -ham indicates silted land in a bend of a river. "Kol(d)" is later addition, and most likely refers to a cold and windy spot.{{cite web|url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/kolham |title=Kolham |website=Etymologiebank |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=nl}} The Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1641, and contains 15th century parts. Kolham was a separate parish, but belonged to the heerlijkheid of Slochteren until 1794.{{cite book|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/boeken/view?identifier=MMKB02:000126215:00056&query=kolham+slochteren&coll=boeken&rowid=6 |title=Geschiedkundige atlas van Nederland part II|year=1923 |author=P.J. and S. Muller |page=52 |location=The Hague |publisher=Nijhoff |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=nl}} It became part of the municipality of Slochteren.{{cite web|url=https://plaatsengids.nl/kolham |title=Kolham |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=nl}}
Kolham used to be a linear settlement along the main road. In the early 20th century, houses were built along the side roads. In 1929, a train station was built along the railway line to Weiwerd. The station and railway line closed in 1941.{{cite web|url=http://stationsweb.nl/station.asp?station=kolham |title=Station Kolham |website=Stationsweb |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=nl}} The hamlet of {{ill|Foxham, Groningen|nl|Foxham|lt=Foxham}} used to belong to Kolham. In 1943, the Winschoterdiep was dug, and Foxham was transferred to Hoogezand.
On 29 May 1959, the {{ill|Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij|nl}} was performing a test drill on the land of farmer Kornelis Boon. At a depth of {{convert|2,659|m}} the drill hit gas, and a large flame appeared which could be seen in the city of Groningen. In 1960, gas was discovered near Delfzijl in the same layer. The Groningen gas field turned out to be the largest natural gas field in Europe. Boon was paid for the drill and a parcel of his land, however the gas benefits went to the State of the Netherlands.{{cite web|url=https://historischarchief.midden-groningen.nl/ontdekken/verhalen-van-midden-groningen/gebeurtenissen/gas-in-groningen |title=Gas in Groningen! |website=Historisch Archief Midden-Groningen |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=nl}}
In 2017, the municipality of Slochteren merged into Midden-Groningen.
Gallery
File:Korenmolen De Entreprise, Kolham.jpg|Windmill the Enterprise
File:Voormalig station Kolham.jpg|Former train station
File:6620.Kropswolde.Westerpark.Hoogezand.Duurswold.Kolham.Uiterdijk.jpg|Nature near Kolham
File:Slochteren Gasmolecule 02.JPG|Gasmolecule sculpture by {{ill|Marc Ruygrok|nl}} (2009)
References
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{{Commons category|position=left}}
{{Dutch municipality Midden-Groningen}}
{{Authority control}}