The fine village Ballum is the smallest village on Ameland, with 350 inhabitants. In the 15th century it was the home of the Cammingha's, the monsieurs of the past of Ameland. Still Ballum is the administrative centre of Ameland.

The previous castle of the lords of Wadden island Ameland, the Cammingha castle in the village Ballum, in its earliest form dates back to the year 1425.

The mortuary called "Baarhuisje" in Ballum is located at the spot where the previous Cammingha castle stood.

The village tower of Ballum was built in 1755 as a replacement of the old wooden belfry.

On 22 November 1596, the Lord of Wadden island Ameland Sicco van Cammingha, granted permission to Pieter Everts to continue operations of the mill in the village Ballum.

Before Ameland was protected from the Wadden sea bij the dike, the lands outside the villages were divided into outer pastures (de Grie) and inner pastures (the Miede).