Grenspaal Middelpaal

Elsendorp.

The Gemert Middenpaal which also often occurs under the name Bovenste Paal is the easternmost boundary pole between Gemert and Bakel in the municipality, the pole that was furthest into the Peel. To the west lies the Ripse paal. In addition to the boundary posts, there were also boundary pits in the Peel. The latter were more common. Every so often the wooden posts were replaced. The pits had to be dug again more often, because of the dampness of the soil they faded quickly. Care was taken to ensure that young people and children were present when poles and pits were replaced, so that their location would also be remembered by a new generation, this to avoid quarrels with neighbors whenever possible. Often a celebration or ceremony was held around the renewal to make it more impressive and thus less easily forgotten. Over the centuries, more and more posts were replaced with stone ones for the same purpose.

In the immediate vicinity of the Gemert Middle Pole, in addition to a polished Neolithic flint axe (± 3000 BC), one of the oldest Gemert finds was also made. This is a Middle Paleolithic deposit more than 50,000 years old. Two roads from Gemert in the direction of Oploo converged at this site. A little further on, the road from Milheeze to Oploo joined as well. At that point there was traditionally a hand sign.

Sources:

J. Timmers, Langs de palen, 2002, Heemkundekring De Kommanderij, Gemert.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)