The town was
founded at a monastery, which from the thirteenth century was a chief work of the
Premonstratensians and from 1465 an institution of the
Order of the Holy Cross. It was closed in 1594 due to the
Protestant Reformation. In 1619 ownership of Westerwolde passed to the city of
Groningen, with the monastery and its grounds included. Over time the city planted forests on these grounds. In 1931-1933 the remaining parts of the monastery were restored. In 1976 ownership of the monastery and the forests passed to the state forest managers,
Staatsbosbeheer. The agricultural land was also purchased after 1976. Since the 19th century, built-up strips have also formed due to
Peat production from
bogs along the
Stads-Ter Apel canal in the direction of
Stadskanaal, the
Weerdingermond in the direction of
Nieuw-Weerdinge, and in the direction of
Emmer-Compascuum. In 1916 the
Ruiten Aa canal was completed, which as of 2004 is again navigable for recreational boating. In the first half of the 20th century it was a hub for the rail and tram routes operated by the
Eerste Drentsche Stoomtramweg Maatschappij (EDS), the
Eerste Groninger Tramway-Maatschappij (EGTM), the
Dedemsvaartsche Stoomtramweg-Maatschappij (DSM), the
Stoomtramweg-Maatschappij Oostelijk Groningen (OG), and the
Groningsch-Drentsche Spoorweg Maatschappij (Stadskanaal - Ter_Apel - national border) (STAR). Of these rail lines, in 2005 the
aardenbaan in the forests at Ter Apel is still recognisable. Image:Klooster Ter Apel(4).jpg|
Ter Apel Monastery Image:Klooster Ter Apel(3).jpg|Ter Apel Monastery Image:Ter Apel Joods Monument 01.JPG|Jewish monument == References ==