Why is this settlement called Kuhwaldsiedlung when there is no forest? Let’s delve into the history of this unique residential area in Frankfurt. Once upon a time, a small forest stood here in Bockenheim. It bordered Frankfurt and other territories. This forest was called Kuhwald.
Its name might come from cows. Cows rested here in the forest’s shade before being driven to the nearby Pfingstweide. A woman lived in a hut nearby. She collected dung and managed access to the area. The Kuhwald was also known as Bockenheimer Busch. It was likely a dense natural forest. Butterflies also thrived here.
The Kuhwald gradually disappeared. August von Cohausen claimed to have seen the forest around the mid-19th century. Maps still labeled the area as Kuhwald. It remained an open space for a long time. Railroad tracks eventually cut through the area. Frankfurt’s flying pioneer Bruno Poelke earned the nickname Adler vom Kuhwald.
After World War I, the area was developed into a residential settlement. Several cooperatives built the first houses by 1922. These early homes had traditional designs with pitched roofs. Architects wanted to provide residents with ample living space and green areas.
Later in the 1920s, more buildings arose. They were part of Ernst May’s Neues Frankfurt project. The Kuhwaldsiedlung was initially separate from the city. Gradually, the surrounding open spaces disappeared. The district merged with the growing city.
During World War II, much of the settlement was destroyed. Reconstruction began in 1949. Simple post-war styles were used. St. Pius Church was built in 1957. The Dreifaltigkeitskirche followed in 1966.
Today, the Kuhwaldsiedlung retains a village-like character. This is despite its proximity to Frankfurt’s city center. In 2008, it consisted of 345 buildings. Herbert Heckmann, a Frankfurt writer, spent his childhood here. The Kuhwaldsiedlung: a place where history and nature intertwine.