A small brook gave Kelsterbach its name. Kelsterbach am Main sits on the Main River where the Kelsterbach flows. This is where our story begins.
Kelsterbach is more than just a name. It is a town with a history stretching back to the Stone Age. Though it only officially became a town in 1952. The airport and local industries helped grow the population.
Now, let’s jump back in time. Imagine the Bronze Age. Archaeological finds suggest a settlement existed here. It stood some 10 to 15 meters above the Main.
Fast forward to the Roman era. Around 200 to 220 AD, a “small villa” stood here. It featured a building with a fountain. These discoveries enrich Kelsterbach’s past.
The town’s name offers another glimpse into its history. It is believed the Franks founded Kelsterbach. They called it Gelsterbach. “Gelster” means loudly rushing.
The first written record of Kelsterbach dates back to around 850. For centuries, Kelsterbach was part of the Dreieich royal hunting woods.
Landgrave Ernst-Ludwig wanted to transform Kelsterbach. He planned to make it a town of craftsmen. From 1699 to 1712, Neukelsterbacher Stra\u00dfe was built. Calvinist refugees were to settle here. Many problems caused this project to fail.
In the mid-18th century, Landgrave Ludwig VIII took over a fa\u00efence factory. He turned it into a porcelain factory. The factory only lasted a few years.
The Vereinigte Kunstseidenfabrik later became Vereinigte Glanzstoff AG. This factory shaped Kelsterbach’s development for nearly a century. When it opened, Kelsterbach had about 3,000 residents. The factory closed in 2000 due to globalization.
In 1952, Kelsterbach received town rights along with Raunheim.
Today, Kelsterbach is a center for logistics companies. Its location near Frankfurt Airport is ideal.
Now think about Kelsterbach’s coat of arms. It features an oak tree with four silver leaves and three gold acorns on a black background. The tree symbolizes the Dreieich royal hunting woods. The colors come from the Counts of Isenburg. They ruled the village starting in 1418. The arms were granted in 1925.
Kelsterbach is well-connected. Autobahn A3 runs nearby. Frankfurt S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 connect Kelsterbach to Frankfurt. The airport is only three minutes away by train.
In 1926, a large transformer station was built. It handles voltages of 380, 220, and 110 kV.
Kelsterbach also boasts a combination indoor and leisure swimming pool. There is also a large town library, an integrated comprehensive school, primary schools, and a special school.
Kelsterbach is known as the “town of clubs”. It hosts a traditional church fair in September and an Old Town Festival a week later.
The Main riverside and the S\u00fcdpark offer recreation.
Kelsterbach continues to evolve. Its story is one of transformation. From ancient settlements to a modern logistical hub, Kelsterbach has a rich and vibrant history.