The Hobos domain was first mentioned in 1427 as Hoebosche domain. The buildings you find here are a collection that grew and evolved over time. Buildings have also disappeared. The most famous building is undoubtedly the mansion, followed by the distillery. These were built by the Clercx family who purchased Hobos in 1769. Son Clercx was a well-known horse rider who prosecuted no fewer than 57 (alleged) goat riders and put them to the gallows. No wonder there are all kinds of stories and legends about him. The goat riders also appear in various aspects of the nature reserve. The gin distillery continued to operate until the end of the 19th century and was then converted into a home for the tenant. The white tenant farm is a remnant of the building complex as it was purchased in 1769. There are also remains of a farm belonging to a certain A. Andries, others have disappeared, such as the bakehouse. The last to live on the domain was the Brull family. They bought it in 1910 (drossaard Clercx died in 1840) and granddaughter Marie-Anne Wilsens, married to knight Huyttens de Terbecq and descendant of drossaard Clercx's younger brother, was the last resident. When she died, it was sold in 2010 to the Agency for Nature and Forests and the municipality of Overpelt. The buildings are in urgent need of restoration and the site is not accessible.
Be sure to visit the lanes and especially the beautiful chestnut orchard. One of the trees was voted the most beautiful tree in Flanders in 2015. It is interesting that the chestnuts from the old orchard planted by the Clercx family probably served to flavor the gin they distilled.