The Melkerijweg, located on the southern edge of the Puddeghemse Heide, is named after the dairy founded by Jacobus Vermylen, known as ‘Kobe’, just before World War I. With the help of his sons Aloïs and Constant, he expanded the business. After the war, he also acquired the defunct Werchter dairy ‘Klostermeier’, where his other sons Jan and Fons were installed as managers. Following his death in 1921, the dairy was renamed Melkerij St.-Adriaan of Haacht and Werchter.
Both the Haacht and Werchter dairies found their primary market in Brussels, partly thanks to their ‘milk tram’. Despite purchasing trucks, they barely survived World War II. The machinery proved outdated, and funds were lacking to purchase new equipment. In 1951, the operations of both dairies came to an end.
In Haacht, likely only a part of the original residential house at Heesterveld 31 remains. However, in Werchter, the buildings – including the chimney (and the villa) – still stand today (next to the entrance of Rock Werchter on the Haachtsesteenweg, now Provinciebaan).
In Haacht, the street name Melkerijweg still serves as a reminder of the activities that took place there during the first half of the 20th century. The information was provided with thanks to J.V. for HAGOK.
