Neuhof

Hidden within Strasbourg lies the Neuhof, a district brimming with a past as rich as the soil that once nourished its vast forests. Originally a sprawling woodland owned by the Lords of Lichtenberg, Neuhof was sold in 1370 to a wealthy Strasbourg resident. The name “Neue Hoff,” meaning “new farm” or “new court,” first appeared in 1424, marking the establishment of a farm within the village of Hundsfelden. By the late 17th century, the Neuhof belonged entirely to the city of Strasbourg. For many years, Neuhof remained a humble village, its inhabitants unable to afford the right of bourgeoisie or join guilds. They lived simple lives as small-scale farmers, often contending with floods from the Rhine and Rhin Tortu. The marshy forest limited large-scale farming. The arrival of Jesuit brothers in the early 17th century spurred the creation of a true village. They cleared trees and drained the land, creating pastures. The name Stockfeld, meaning “field gained from the forest,” arose from the stumps left behind. New farmers arrived, seeking land. By the late 18th century, the village boasted around 580 residents. The Neuhof continued to evolve. Mills along the Rhin Tortu and Ziegelwasser attracted new residents. A small industrial complex emerged at Ganzau, complete with a grain mill, tobacco mill, fulling mill, hemp mill, and bleachworks. Later, a dye works, chicory coffee factory, and glue factory joined them. The 19th century brought further growth, mirroring Strasbourg’s own expansion. Neuhof’s population reached 1,000 in 1812 and over 3,000 by 1900. Charities established themselves in the area. Industries, like the straw hat factory on Riehl Street, provided employment. The construction of two churches and two schools mid-century solidified Neuhof’s status as a district within Strasbourg. A tram line in 1885 further integrated Neuhof into the city. The 20th century marked a period of significant change. The Stockfeld garden city, built in 1910, provided 450 homes for those displaced by city center renovations. Twenty years later, the Ribot city added 250 more homes. Meanwhile, the north transformed with the construction of the Feldartilleriekaserne military complex, foreshadowing the large-scale construction projects of the post-war boom. The Neuhof remains a testament to its layered past, a blend of rural beginnings and urban development.