The Staatsliedenbuurt is a quarter situated in the living area Westerpark, in the South of the Haarlemmer boat canal and in the West of the navigational route Singelgracht – Kattensloot – Kostverlorenvaart. It is a very multicultural district and also known for its sociability.

Up to 1877 this area was rich of windmills located outside of Amsterdam. The barge-canal from Amsterdam to Haarlem was thereby the arterial road, connecting the Staatsliedenbuurt with the rest of the world. The most important attraction was the Tweehonderd Roe, a restaurant located outside of the town borders and free of tax.

After the area had been incorporated to Amsterdam, the Staatsliedenbuurt arose, which was named after staatslieden (politicians) from the 18th and 19th century. In the years eighty the Staatsliedenbuurt was known as a krakersbolwerk (squatter fort), with the kraakcafé De Rioolrat as its centre.

When the mayor of the municipality Amsterdam Van Thijn wanted to visit the district, he was chased away by furious squatters. In the aftermath of the evacuation of the district squatter Hans Kok lost his life.

Since 1990 the Staatsliedenbuurt together with the Spaarndammerbuurt have formed the district Westerpark and the Frederik Hendrikbuurt. The Staatslieden area is dominated by social house constructions.

In the years ninety a new extension was added at the Waterleidingterrein, where in former days the municipality’s water control was established. Nowadays the Watertoren (Water Towers) and the machine building still remind of that time.

Along the Haarlemmerweg, situated at the northern edge of the Staatsliedenbuurt, drove the tram to the Sloterdijk. Up to 1916 this tramline was operated by horses. Afterwards the electric tram line 12 took over, which was changed into tram line 18 in 1922. In 1951, the tram got replaced by the bus line 18 and the tramline 10.