Consider this: Aplerbecker Mark wasn’t always a part of Dortmund. It has a unique story. It officially became part of Dortmund in 1929. But its history stretches back much further.
Aplerbecker Mark. The name itself hints at its origins. “Mark” refers to a communal area. It was land shared by farmers. These farmers and the Lords of Aplerbeck had rights to use the Aplerbecker Mark. They were allocated firewood and timber.
The House of Rodenberg managed the land. They also oversaw the Erbholzrichteramt. In 1806, the Aplerbecker Mark was divided. Almost a third went to the House of Rodenberg. The rest was split between the church and the local farmers. The farmers could fully own their land. They needed to pay twenty-five times the annual interest.
Around 1850, farmers began selling land. Factory workers and miners bought it. These new residents built small cottages. They worked in factories or mines. They also farmed the land for their own food. They were part-time farmers. The orchards of these cottagers were well-known. The Aplerbeck tree nursery grew the fruit trees. It was especially famous for its apple trees.
This self-sufficiency helped the people of Aplerbecker Mark. They weathered the crises after World War I. The Aplerbeck mines and the Aplerbeck ironworks closed. Public works projects helped. The Emscher River was channeled. The Aplerbeck forest stadium and open-air bath were built. These provided jobs for the people of Aplerbecker Mark.
After World War II, Aplerbecker Mark changed again. Dortmund was heavily damaged. The Mark became a popular place to live. Many houses were built. Especially in the Tiefen Mark area.
Today, Aplerbecker Mark retains its character. It blends residential areas with green spaces. The Nathebach valley runs through it. The Nathebach stream flows through the valley. It creates a green belt from the Schwerte forest. It extends to the center of Aplerbeck.
Interestingly, there’s a spot known as “Klein Paris”. It is in the southernmost part of Aplerbecker Mark. A soldier who fought in the Franco-Prussian War named it. He was reminded of Paris. The Herrenstrasse became the Pariser Strasse. The name “Klein Paris” stuck until the 1960s.
Aplerbecker Mark also has a thriving community life. Various clubs and associations exist. The shooting club was founded in 1873. Singing, music, and sports clubs followed.
Aplerbecker Mark offers a glimpse into Dortmund’s past. It evolved from farmland to a residential suburb. Its residents adapted and thrived. It is a testament to the spirit of its people.