Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Asschuur
⎯⎯⎯
Ash Shed

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 2, 2026

1. Asschuur / Ash Shed Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

De Asschuur uit 1844 dateert uit de tijd dat afval nog geld opbracht. Het stadsbestuur verpachtte de loods voor de opslag van haardas. Zolang haarden met turf gestookt werden, was de 'polas' daarvan namelijk uitstekend geschikt voor de productie van zeep en glas. Door de introductie van steenkool werd de as onbruikbaar en was het ophalen ervan niet winstgevend meer. Dat werd een overheidstaak en de Asschuur kwam in gebruik bij de stadsreiniging. De directeur daarvan woonde rond 1900 nog op de bovenverdieping. Sinds de jaren zestig heeft de jongerensociëteit So What het in gebruik. De zware. schuine muren met steunberen wijzen op de opslagfunctie. de grote loskade ervoor op de schepen die alles afvoerden.

(English translation:)
The Asschuur (“Ash Shed”), built in 1844, dates from a time when waste still generated revenue. The city authorities leased out the warehouse for the storage of hearth ash; as long as hearths were fired with peat, the resulting ash was ideally suited for the production of soap and glass. The introduction of coal rendered the ash useless, however, and collecting it was no

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longer profitable. This task was taken over by the municipality, and the building was put to use by the city’s sanitation department; around 1900, the department’s director even lived on the upper floor. Since the 1960s, it has been occupied by the youth club 'So What'. The heavy, sloping walls with buttresses point to its original function as a storage facility, while the large unloading quay in front recalls the ships that once hauled the material away.

Erected by Provincie Zuid Holland, ANWB, VVV. (Marker Number 35204/03.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 52° 0.486′ N, 4° 42.387′ E. Marker is in Gouda, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is at the intersection of Vest and Drapiergang, on the left when traveling north on Vest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Vest 30, Gouda, Zuid-Holland 2801 VE, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically,

Asschuur / Ash Shed and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 2, 2026

2. Asschuur / Ash Shed and marker

The marker is visible here above and slightly to the right of the yellow bin.

it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: IJsfabriek William Barendsz / William Barendsz Ice Factory (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Het Goudse Badhuis / The Gouda Bathhouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Woonhuis Weldoenster van Erasmus / Home of the Benefactor of Erasmus (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Patriciërswoning / Patrician House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Magazijn De Zon / “The Sun Warehouse” (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Donkere sluis / Donkere Lock (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); R.K. Meisjesschool met kapel / Catholic Girls School With Chapel (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Salomon Benjamin Gompers (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gouda.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.

Asschuur⎯⎯⎯Ash Shed

Asschuur
⎯⎯⎯
Ash Shed