Wonder why there is no street named after Karl Walterspiel? It is a question that has echoed through Freiburg for years. We stand before the Walterspiel-Denkmal. This monument honors a man who shaped the Wiehre district. Karl Walterspiel was born in Kappelrodeck in 1831. He played a significant role in Freiburg’s history.
In 1867, Walterspiel moved to Freiburg. Six years later, he settled in Wiehre. At that time, Wiehre was still rural. It had many small farms. Walterspiel was a building contractor and architect. He also ran the Karl Walterspiel brickyard in Freiburg.
After the Franco-Prussian War, France paid significant reparations. Alsace was regained. Freiburg experienced economic growth. The city needed space. Wiehre, south of the Dreisam, offered it. Walterspiel promoted the expansion to the south. He helped design the new district. This provided a market for his building materials.
In 1875, Walterspiel founded the Lokalverein Wiehre. It supported the transformation of Wiehre. The Wiehre district we know today is largely due to Walterspiel. He also supported the construction of the Johanneskirche. To finance it, he mortgaged his properties. Their value was 250,000 Goldmark or about 2.5 million Euros today. Walterspiel also promoted the Höllentalbahn. He helped initiate the Waldfahrwege paths. Mayor Winterer found a great partner in Walterspiel.
Grand Duke Friedrich I recognized Walterspiel’s contributions. In 1894, he was knighted. He became a Knight of the Zähringer Lion Order. This was quite an honor for a revolutionary of 1848/49.
In 1892, Walterspiel’s brickyard merged. It joined Adolf Mathis in Merzhausen and Friedrich Moritz in St. Georgen. Together, they formed the Vereinigte Freiburger Ziegelwerke AG. Walterspiel served as its director.
Walterspiel led the Lokalverein Wiehre until his death in 1901. He lived at Günterstalstrasse 37. It is still a beautiful building today. The Lokalverein Wiehre honored its founder in 1906. They erected this Walterspiel-Denkmal on the Bodlesau. It stands near the Rehbrunnen and Spemannplatz.
Walterspiel’s contributions extend beyond Freiburg. He fought for democracy in Germany. He was wounded in the Battle of Waghäusel in 1848. He narrowly escaped execution as a deserter. Honoring Walterspiel also honors the work of Freiburg’s civic associations. They have been active since 1875. They work for their districts and the entire city. The monument serves as a reminder of Walterspiel’s lasting impact. It celebrates his vision and dedication to Freiburg and its people. Let us remember Karl Walterspiel. Let us appreciate the foundations he laid for the Wiehre we see today. His spirit lives on in the streets and buildings around us.