Do you know what Methler’s name means? Methler: a vibrant quarter of Kamen. It has a history stretching back over a thousand years.
Methler’s story began with a simple donation. Back on April 11, 898, land called “Metlere” was given to Cologne’s St. Gereon Abbey. This makes it the first time Methler was ever written down.
But, humans lived here long before that document. Archaeological finds in Westick hint at even earlier settlements. This area was a Germanic trading post. It even had Roman artifacts. You can see these items in the House for Town History in Kamen. Also see them in the Department of Pre and Early History at the Gustav Lübcke Museum in Hamm. These finds prove Methler has a rich past.
Methler officially became part of Kamen on January 1, 1968. Before that, in 1967, Westick and Wasserkurl joined together. Now, Methler is often split into smaller areas. These are Methler Dorf, Altenmethler, Kaiserau, Westick, and Wasserkurl.
The area around Methler has changed over the years. In 1849, only 482 people lived here. By 2023, that number jumped to 11,393.
Methler has many local traditions. One highlight is the Pflaumenkirmes plum fair. It starts on September 17 and lasts the weekend. The fair happens in the old heart of Methler near the Margaretenkirche. The fair ends Monday night with a fireworks show.
Also, the Methler fire brigade has an open house on Ascension Day. The “Dorfjungs Methler” host a tug-of-war on the Saturday after Ascension Day. The Schützenverein Methler hosts a shooting festival every two years. This festival includes dancing and music in a big tent.
The Männerchor 1875 Wasserkurl choir has a forest singing event on Ascension Day. It takes place under Meinberg’s beech trees in Wasserkurl. Families from all around come to enjoy it.
Methler is known for its active clubs. There are 72 registered clubs here. The most successful sports club is RV Wanderlust. It is a cycling club in the Second Bundesliga.
The Methler coat of arms has an interesting design. It features ascending and descending stairs in gold and blue. This coat of arms comes from the Lords of Methler family. The family died out in 1440.
Getting around Methler is easy. The A2 highway runs nearby. There are also roads to neighboring towns. The main road to Kamen is Westicker Straße.
The Kamen-Methler train stop is on the Dortmund-Hamm line. Trains run hourly to Dortmund and Hamm. The station used to be called “Bahnhof Westick-Kaiserau.”
Methler is a blend of history and community. From its ancient roots to its modern life, Methler offers a unique story.