Delfshaven came to existence when the city of Delft wanted its own harbour.
Traffic by water happened then, as it does now, on the river Schie. In 1389 Duke Aelbrecht Of Bavaria gave his permission to the city of Delft to dig a waterway from the village of Overschie to the river Maas. This way Delft had the use of a harbor of its own to accommodate (tall) sea-going ships. [see popup]

At the mouth of this new 'Delfshavense Schie' grew a small settlement and in 1398 it was called Delfshaven. The population made a living from fishing, shipbuilding and the distillery of 'jenever', the Dutch equivalent of gin. On behalf of the last, several malt-mills were built.

Until the year 1811 Delfshaven belonged to Delft. At the times of the French occupation Delfshaven was independent for a short period. First from 1795 until 1803 and once again in 1811. In 1886 Delfshaven was joined to Rotterdam. In that short period of independence it achieved the status of 'city' in 1825, and the city-privileges that came with it.
From that moment on the city could by right use its own coat of arms. This was derived from the civic heraldry of Delft [see popup], which they had used until then, but now it was decorated with a herring and three cornstalks, as symbols of the fishing- and alcohol-industry. During its history Delfshaven knew many times of hardship such as the Spanish occupation, long lasting strife, fires, floods and poverty. Although Delfshaven was kept on a short leash by the city council of Delft, in fear of economical competition, there were times of wealth and prosperity as well.

Pilgrim Fathers
Delfshaven is internationally known because of the Pilgrim Fathers. On ground of their religion they had fled from England. After a stay in Holland, a large group of them lived in Leiden, they decided to migrate to North America.
Being the first settlers they founded New England.
In 1620 they departed from Delfshaven in their ship, 'Speedwell'. The first stop was Southampton and from there they boarded the 'Mayflower', heading for America. The Pilgrim Fathers Church (1761) still reminds of this occasion.

Pieter Pieterszoon Heyn, commander of the fleet, is known for conquering the Spanish silver fleet in 1628. He was born in 1577 in Delfshaven in a house at the Kerkstraat (Church street). Since 1870 this street is called "Piet Heynstraat".

Delfshaven's history still shows in many historic buildings at both harbours: Voorhaven and Achterhaven.
For example: the Pilgrimfathes church, the old city hall of Delfshaven, museum De Dubbelde Palmboom, the VOC-building, the authentic Zakkendragershuisje, the orphanage and the cornmill De Distilleerketel, as seen on the illustration on the right. Click the picture and see a larger image in colour.

The first half year of 2001 Historic Delfshaven was restored to its old splendor.