Best

Foundation and the Path to Independence

The history of the town of Best is closely intertwined with that of neighboring Oirschot. For centuries, Best was not an independent administrative unit, but part of the so-called "Vrijheid Oirschot" (Freedom of Oirschot). The first settlements in this area date back to the Middle Ages; however, Best officially appeared on the map as an independent municipality only in 1819, after separating from its neighbor.

Key Factors in Its Development

The settlement's growth was determined by several important geographical and social conditions:

• Geographical Position: Best is located in the North Brabant region, on the sandy soils characteristic of the area. This influenced the type of farming and available resources.
• Strategic Location: The settlement was situated on an important historical route connecting major trade centers (such as 's-Hertogenbosch and Liège), which contributed to gradual population growth and the development of roadside infrastructure.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Before the onset of active industrialization, Best's economy was primarily agricultural and craft-based, with its own unique traits:

• Clog Production: Best was historically famous for its craftsmen who made klompen (traditional Dutch wooden shoes). This craft flourished thanks to the abundance of poplar trees in the vicinity, whose wood was perfectly suited for carving.
• Agriculture: For centuries, local residents were engaged in growing rye, oats, and buckwheat, as well as dairy farming, adapting to the poor sandy soils of the Campine region.

Key Historical Milestones

The chronology of the town's development reflects its journey from a small settlement to an important transport and industrial hub in North Brabant.

From the Middle Ages to the 19th Century

• 1437 — Construction begins on the Gothic Sint-Odulphus Church, which remains the main architectural landmark of the center today.
• 1819 — Best officially separates from the neighboring town of Oirschot and gains status as an independent municipality.
• 1866 — A railway station opens on the Breda–Eindhoven line, providing a powerful boost to the region's economic development.

The 20th Century and Modern Development

• 1933 — The world-famous Czech shoe company Bata acquires land in Best for the construction of a new factory.
• 1934 — The Batadorp district is founded, built specifically for shoe factory workers with infrastructure that was unique for its time.
• 1944 — In September, the town was liberated by Scottish troops during the famous Operation Market Garden.
• 1956 — The opening of the open-air theater, named after the American soldier Joe Mann, which became a significant cultural event.
• 2009 — Completion of a large-scale infrastructure project to reconstruct the A2 motorway, which was moved into a tunnel to improve the environment and town connectivity.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Best is a journey from a modest agricultural settlement to a modern suburb with a developed infrastructure. The key stages of the town's development are linked to changes in transport routes and industrialization.

• Gaining Administrative Independence (1819).
  Separation from Oirschot became the foundation for self-determination. Obtaining the status of an independent municipality allowed local authorities to manage land resources and taxes, directing them toward the development of their own community rather than a distant center.
• Railway Integration (1866).
  The opening of a station on a nationally significant line turned an isolated village into an accessible transport hub. This event served as a catalyst for the first industrial enterprises, which required access to the markets of Eindhoven and other major cities.
• Opening of the Wilhelmina Canal (1923).
  The arrival of a navigable canal expanded the region's logistical capabilities. The water artery provided cheap transportation for goods, attracting the production of building materials to Best and promoting trade growth.
• The Bata Industrial Phenomenon (1930s).
  The arrival of the Bata shoe concern was the major economic revolution in the town's history. This led not only to the creation of hundreds of jobs but also to a unique urban planning experiment—the construction of the Batadorp district with housing, schools, and shops for workers, which dramatically improved the standard of living.
• Post-war Reconstruction and Expansion (1950s–1970s).
  After the destruction of World War II, the town began to actively develop new residential quarters. During this period, Best transformed from an industrial village into a comfortable commuter suburb for the growing city of Eindhoven, while still maintaining its identity (such as the opening of the open-air theater).
• Infrastructure Mega-project (2000s).
  The reconstruction of the A2 motorway, which had split the town in two, became the most important urban planning decision of modern times. Moving the highway into a tunnel allowed for the reunification of the eastern and western parts of Best, reduced noise levels, and created new public spaces in the center.

Architectural Landscape and Urban Planning

The architectural landscape of Best is an interesting blend of traditional Brabant architecture, a unique industrial heritage, and modern urban solutions. The town did not develop radially, like many ancient fortresses, but linearly, following its transport arteries, which has significantly shaped its structure.

Historical Styles and Traditional Buildings

In the oldest parts of the town and its surroundings, traces of earlier eras remain, reflecting the region's rural past and religious traditions.

• Gothic (15th century):
  The most striking example is the Sint-Odulphus Church (Sint-Odulphuskerk). Built in 1437, it is an example of the Campine Gothic style. The building is characterized by the use of brick, lancet windows, and a massive tower that served as a primary landmark for travelers for centuries.
• Traditional Rural Architecture (18th–19th centuries):
  On the outskirts of town, you can find long-facade farms (langgevelboerderijen) typical of North Brabant. These are low-slung brick structures under thatched or tiled roofs, where living and utility spaces are combined under a single roof in a long line.
• Windmills:
  An important element of the historical landscape is the stone windmill De Volharding, built in traditional Dutch style in the second half of the 19th century.

Industrial Modernism and Functionalism

A true architectural gem of Best, which sets it apart from other Dutch towns, is the heritage of the Bata shoe empire.

• Functionalism (1930s):
  The Batadorp district is a unique example of corporate urban planning. Unlike traditional Dutch red-brick houses with pitched roofs, the homes here were built with flat roofs and white plastered facades. This style, inspired by Bauhaus ideas, symbolized progress and hygiene. The factory buildings are also designed in a strict functional style with large windows for natural light.

Modern Urbanism and Infrastructure

In the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries, Best's appearance was shaped by population growth and the need to address transport challenges.

• Post-war Development (1960s–1980s):
  The town expanded through the creation of new residential areas, such as Wilhelminadorp. This area is dominated by the terraced housing (rijtjeshuizen) typical of the Netherlands, focused on family comfort and an abundance of greenery.
• Contemporary Urban Planning (21st century):
  A key project that transformed the town center was the reconstruction of the area around the railway station and the A2 motorway. Moving the highway underground allowed for the creation of new public spaces above the tunnel, reuniting previously divided parts of the town with modern glass and concrete architecture, as well as landscaped parks.

Notable Figures

Despite its modest size, Best is connected to the lives of many famous people—from medieval saints and World War II heroes to modern Olympic champions and popular artists.

Historical Figures and Heroes

• Saint Odulphus (Sint Odulphus) (c. 775–855)
  Priest and Missionary
  Born in what is now Best (then part of Oirschot). He became famous as the "Apostle of the Frisians," conducting active missionary work in Utrecht and Stavoren. He is considered the patron saint of Best, and the town's main Gothic church bears his name.
• Joe Mann (1922–1944)
  American Soldier, Medal of Honor Recipient
  Although Joe Mann was born in the USA, he became a symbol of the liberation of Best. During Operation Market Garden, this private of the 101st Airborne Division died heroically in the woods near the town, covering a grenade with his body to save his comrades. In Best, an open-air theater and a memorial pavilion are named after him.

Athletes

• Eric Swinkels (born 1949)
  Shooter (Skeet Shooting)
  A native of Best and a legend of Dutch sports. He participated in six Olympic Games and won a silver medal in the skeet discipline at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
• Sanne van Dijke (born 1995)
  Judoka
  Raised in Best, where she also began her sporting career. She is a two-time European champion and a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Jesse Mahieu (born 1978)
  Field Hockey Player
  Born in Best. He played for the Netherlands national team, with which he won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics (2004) and became a European champion.

Cultural Figures

• Rob Kemps (born 1985)
  Singer, Showman, and TV Presenter
  Born in Best. He gained widespread fame as the frontman of the musical project Snollebollekes, which fills stadiums across the country. He is also known as a winner of popular intellectual TV game shows.
• Ralf Mackenbach (born 1995)
  Singer and Physicist
  A native of Best who brought the Netherlands victory at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 with the hit "Click Clack." Notably, after his musical success, he dedicated himself to science and earned a PhD in physics.