Did you know that Siegmar was once an independent town? Siegmar a thriving industrial hub now part of Chemnitz boasts a rich history. Established probably in the first half of the 12th century Siegmar’s first documented mention was in 1375. A certain Henricus de Sygemar likely a servant of Rudolf von Brandt is considered its founder. Back then Siegmar along with other nearby villages under Rabenstein’s rule fell under the Chemnitz Benedictine monastery’s ownership.
The spelling changed to Sigkmar in 1548. After the monastery’s dissolution Siegmar which had seen little development due to a 1331 boundary restriction became part of Chemnitz’s administrative district. Siegmar’s location along the Kappelbach stream and the 1858 Chemnitz-Zwickau railway line proved pivotal. A small rural community with a cotton mill and stocking factory it blossomed into an industrial center for glove manufacturing textiles and mechanical engineering.
The growth of Siegmar is truly fascinating. Stelzendorf joined in 1920. Reichenbrand followed in 1922. This population boom exceeding 10000 people granted Siegmar city rights on May 17 1927. Under the Nazi regime Gauleiter Martin Mutschmann orchestrated the merger of Siegmar with Sch6nau-Neustadt. They became Siegmar-Sch6nau on October 1 1935.
World War II cast a dark shadow. On September 11 1944 the USAAF targeted the Siegmar plant formerly Wanderer part of Auto Union. This plant produced half of all engines for Tiger and Panther tanks. Seventy-four B-17 bombers escorted by 20 Mustang fighters dropped 450 high-explosive and numerous incendiary bombs. Eighty-five people including 41 forced laborers died at the Auto-Union plant. Twenty-one Siegmar residents lost their lives in the residential area.
Siegmar-Sch6nau lost its independence on July 1 1950 becoming part of Chemnitz. The Siegmarer Park created in 1906/07 opposite the 1904 Siegmar town hall on the Kappelbach meadows expanded eastward between 1936 and 1938. Its centerpiece is a charming park pond.
The Wismut AG from 1948 onwards played a significant role. Later becoming SDAG Wismut it mined uranium in the western Erzgebirge Saxon Switzerland and eastern Thuringia. This uranium fuelled the Soviet nuclear weapons program until 1990. Wismut initiated construction of various buildings including an administration building a cultural center a swimming pool an already demolished hotel Trabant a medical center kindergartens schools and numerous houses in Siegmar. They even took over the Rabenstein hospital.
Siegmar’s industrial legacy is evident. Businesses like Bruno Banani Karl Mayer textile machinery factory Naplafa DeSonic Anchor Lamina and Sanacorp are located there. Many more particularly in mechanical engineering thrive in the industrial area. Niles-Simmons is near the Zwickau road and the A4 motorway.
The former Wanderer vehicle plant operational since 1927 was taken over by Auto Union AG in 1932. After 1945 it became part of the Fritz Heckert machine tool combine. The halls built later for Heckert GmbH on Otto-Schmerbach-Strasse belong to Starrag GmbH today. Smaller companies in mechanical engineering and metalworking are also present. Siegmar’s story shows the resilience and transformation of a community. A community that has adapted and evolved while still preserving its unique identity.