The plantation was named after the city of
Alkmaar in the Dutch province of
North Holland where Jacobus Hengeveldt, the founder was born. In the 18th century Alkmaar became a notable
coffee producing location. Construction of the plantation was consigned to James Hengeveldt in 1745. After the completion of Fort at New Amsterdam in 1746, the land at the mouth of the
Commewijne River was cleared to make way for the plantation which opened in 1747. Charles Godeffroy then took over the plantation. In 1884, the plantation ceased its operation due to low sugar prices. In 1894, the government bought the grounds in order to distribute it to small farmers. The Javanese still form the largest ethnic group. The villages of
Johan & Margaretha and
Frederiksdorp on the other side of the river, can be reached by a ferry from Mariënburg. The coffee plantation
Katwijk is located in Alkmaar. ==Notable people==