Village, originated at the mouth of the Spaarne in the IJ. A dam in the Spaarne, which was laid here in the first half of the 13th century, was replaced by Floris V in 1285 by a new dam with a spit and lock. In 1328 there is a chapel. After the St. Elisabeth flood (1421), the (High) Spaarndammerdijk was erected and a fishing village developed there. The village underwent various dyke breakthroughs and devastations by Gelderse (1517) and Spanish troops (1573). In 1578 the dike maintenance came to the Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland.
Shipbuilding and eel smokehouse were important sources of income. The water management improved with the reclamation of the Haarlemmermeer (1849-'52) and the reclamation of the IJ (1865-'73). This also led to development on the north side of the dike. In 1926, the harbor on the north-west side was filled up and houses were built around it. In 1927, Spaarndam was annexed by Haarlem.
The village has been extended from 1960 on the east side. Spaarndam is a protected village.
