at this time.
In 1894 Schagen was shocked by a double murder, when 17-year old Klaas Boes murdered his 55-year old neighbor and her 17-year old niece. The murder attracted wide national media attention and caused the murderer's mother to commit suicide. In 1895 Klaas Boes was sentenced to life imprisonment, but this was later changed to 25 years. For years to come, "Klaas Boes" remained a stereotypical name in the Netherlands for youngsters who were up to no good. Newly appointed mayor Simon Bermanheaded a committee that would pay 750 guilders, donated by the residents, for the golden tip, conducted several interrogations, and received praise for the way he handled the affair. Klaas Boes was released from prison in 1922 and died in 1956.
During the 20th century prosperity decreased slowly. Especially after the Second World there was a sharp decline in the agricultural sector. As Schagen did not only depended on agriculture, the decline was less than in surrounding rural communities. Around 1960 Schagen started to flourish again, though population was still below 5,000. The seventies were a large boom for Schagen. In the early nineties, the growth gradually diminished but Schagen remained relatively strong compared to neighboring nuclei and municipalities.
From 2005 to 2007, Schagen resident Johan Huibers built a replica of Noah's Ark in Schagen. Johan's Ark was opened to the public in April 2007 and later towed between various port cities in the Netherlands.
In 2007 Schagen proper had about 19,000 inhabitants
