Ostfildern wasn’t always Ostfildern. Once upon a time it was four separate villages. Today we explore how those villages became the modern town we see now.
Ostfildern came into being in 1975. The fusion created Ostfildern from Nellingen, Ruit, Kemnat and Scharnhausen. These boroughs chose to unite. Now, Ostfildern has approximately 37,000 inhabitants.
Let’s journey back to a time before Ostfildern existed. We’ll discover the unique histories of the four original villages. Each one contributes to Ostfildern’s identity.
Nellingen’s history stretches back the furthest. It was first documented in 1120. Nellingen’s name comes from an Alemannic personal name, Nallo. Today, Nellingen is Ostfildern’s largest district. Its main street is Hindenburg Street.
Ruit’s name appeared in records around 1173. The name Rutte likely means cleared land. Another theory suggests it comes from Ried, meaning wet meadows.
Kemnat’s story begins in 1229. Its name comes from Keminaton. This means a heated room.
Scharnhausen’s history began in 1242. It was initially called Husen. The name evolved from Walther, Scharre von Husen. He was a local knight.
Nellingen held significant regional power. Its priory managed properties for the Monastery of St. Blaise. The House of Württemberg protected the priory. This protection had dire consequences during the South German City War. In 1449 Esslingen destroyed Nellingen and Kemnat. Ruit suffered the same fate in 1519. Then in 1590 a fire caused extensive damage in Scharnhausen.
Duke Carl Eugen of Württemberg left his mark. In 1784 he built a small palace near Scharnhausen. He chose an early classicist style. Later, the Royal Private Stud Farm in Scharnhausen was established. It became renowned for breeding Arabian horses.
For centuries agriculture shaped Ostfildern. However, factories began emerging in the 19th century around Esslingen and Stuttgart. The Neckar Valley held key advantages. These included hydropower and transportation.
The villages transformed into working-class communities. People traveled long distances to work in factories. In 1926 the Esslingen-Nellingen-Denkendorf trolley line was built. This offered convenient transport to residents.
Transportation improvements came in the 1960s and 1970s. The autobahn and airport boosted the Filder Plain. Industrial zones developed and brought prosperity.
Ostfildern has grown considerably. The population increased from 10,000 to 40,000. This was partly due to refugees and expellees. Also, economic expansion fueled population growth. Parksiedlung was built in the 1950s and 1960s. Since 1996, Scharnhauser Park has contributed to the city’s growth.
Today, Ostfildern displays contemporary municipal infrastructure. You can see schools, child-care centers and sports facilities. The neighborhoods have transformed into appealing communities. Ostfildern became a large county town in 1976. It continues to evolve.
Now, as we stand here in Ostfildern remember its humble beginnings. Four villages. Each with its own story. These stories combine. They create the unique tapestry of Ostfildern.