Whispers of history linger in Stockum. This unassuming suburb of Witten holds secrets. It is a place where the past whispers through the ages.
Stockum’s story begins in 882. It was then known as villa stochem. A small castle belonged to a knight. He called himself “op der Heyde”. This early Stockum was more than just a castle. It was a center of activity a bustling little community.
The echoes of conflict still resonate. During the Dortmunder Fehde of 1388/89 soldiers burned Stockum to the ground. The Archbishop of Cologne led these troops. They were at war with Dortmund. Stockum suffered a second devastating fire in 1423/24. This time the culprit was the Margrave of the County Mark. He fought a war against his own brother. Imagine the destruction. Imagine the rebuilding.
Then came coal. The year was 1752. The first coal mine opened. Stockum entered a new era. Mining shaped its identity. The boom lasted until 1904. The mines closed but the legacy remained.
In 1929 Stockum became a borough of Witten. It’s a journey through time. It’s a testament to resilience. A reminder that even after destruction and change life persevered in Stockum.
Today Stockum benefits from a bus system. Bus lines 371 and 373 connect it to Witten’s center. On weekends the NE17 night bus runs to Bochum-Langendreer. The area is still connected to the major highway system. It is accessible via the A44 and A45. The Dortmund-Eichlinghofen/Witten-Stockum highway entrance is nearby even though it technically lies in Dortmund.
Stockum is more than just a location on a map. It is a living history. It tells a story of survival. It’s a story worth exploring. A story of Stockum.