How about we explore a monument that sparked heated debate? The Gedenkstein für die Kolonie Kirdorf stands before us. It is more than just a stone. It is a reminder of a complex history.
This stone marks the Kolonie Kirdorf. The Kolonie Kirdorf settlement was built in 1912 and 1913. It was made for the workers of the Zeche Minister Stein mine. The Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-AG (GBAG) commissioned it.
The colony got its name from Emil Kirdorf. He was the General Director of GBAG from 1893. He stayed in that role until 1926. That is when the company merged into the newly formed Vereinigte Stahlwerke.
The Gedenkstein für die Kolonie Kirdorf stands 1.3 meters tall.
But here’s where the story takes a turn. Emil Kirdorf became an active supporter of Adolf Hitler. He even joined the NSDAP in 1934. This caused public outcry in 2009. People questioned whether the settlement should still bear his name.
Some people proposed renaming the Kolonie Kirdorf. They wanted a name with more democratic legitimacy. Others argued that Emil Kirdorf only supported Hitler later in life. Plus the name Kirdorf was already deeply rooted in local language.
A compromise was suggested. An explanatory plaque could be placed to provide context. Yet this plaque never materialized. The Gedenkstein für die Kolonie Kirdorf remains a focal point. It represents this unresolved conflict.
The Kolonie Kirdorf itself has a fascinating story. In 1935 it expanded with an architecturally fitting addition. This happened in the western area. Today the settlement has a mix of housing. There are 119 apartments in single and two-family houses. These houses vary in style. There are also 89 apartments in simple two-story buildings. They replaced houses destroyed in the war.
The Kolonie Kirdorf is under preservation order since 2004. This protects the overall look of the settlement.
In 2002 Viterra Wohnen privatized the one- and two-family houses. Viterra Wohnen is now Vonovia. They sold them to the tenants.
The debate surrounding the Gedenkstein für die Kolonie Kirdorf continues. It shows how history and memory intertwine. The stone is a landmark and a reminder. It encourages us to confront the past. It also prompts us to consider the values we uphold today.