Sliedrecht history: Clog trader Hendrik Groenewegen in 1914

A historical photograph from 1914 captures Hendrik Groenewegen, a clog trader, displaying his handmade products from a cart in the Westeinde of Wijngaarden. The scene includes a dog positioned under the handcart, a horse-drawn carriage carrying Kees van de Graaf and his son, and several local residents.

During this period, wooden clogs were common footwear due to the unpaved, muddy nature of the roads. While leather shoes were more expensive and prone to wear, clogs made from poplar wood provided a practical alternative. In 1914, the cost of clogs varied by size, with women's versions being approximately ten guilders more expensive. Local regulations in Sliedrecht even provided vouchers for the less fortunate to assist with the cost.