Remember that village tales often hold hidden truths. Today our tale unfolds in Heilshorn. Heilshorn is a village within Osterholz-Scharmbeck. It is home to around 2000 residents. Though originally it was only a small village.
Heilshorn sits about eight kilometers west of Osterholz-Scharmbeck. It lies along the old Bundesstraße 6 route. This highway once stretched from Cuxhaven to Görlitz. The Schönebecker Aue meanders near Heilshorn. This stream cuts through the Osterholz Geest landscape. The Bremer Schweiz extends to the west of Heilshorn. The Lange Heide lies to the northeast.
The history of Heilshorn is tied to the Kirchspiel Lesum. This parish included many surrounding villages. Aumund, Lesumstotel and Werschenrege were all part of it. In 1948 the Kirchenkreis Lesum became the Kirchenkreis Osterholz-Scharmbeck.
Heilshorn became part of Osterholz-Scharmbeck in 1974. This change happened during a municipal reform in Lower Saxony. In 1978 US troops arrived in nearby Garlstedt. The Lucius D. Clay Kaserne became a local landmark. Heilshorn experienced a wave of American influence. Gas stations and shops catered to the “American way of life”. Today little remains of that era. The Bundeswehr now uses the barracks as a logistics school.
The Heilshorn coat of arms tells a story. A red gate with battlements sits atop a golden field. A blue ribbon flows in front of the gate. This represents the “derer von der Lieth” manor house that was once surrounded by a moat. A silver Germanic horn stands on a red background. This symbolizes the long history of Heilshorn.
One notable building remains in Heilshorn. The residential and commercial building at Auf dem Rusch 3. It is a timber-framed structure from around 1790.
Heilshorn has a kindergarten and a primary school. Sportfreunde Heilshorn was founded in 1971. The club offers many activities like Football, table tennis and volleyball. The Heilshorner Bürgerverein also started in 1971. It meets in the village community center. A senior citizens’ shared apartment has been available since 2006. It provides housing for up to 12 seniors.
FAUN once had a factory in Heilshorn. Lidl operates a central warehouse near Brundorf. The Hotel “Weißes Haus” opened in 1993. It was Germany’s first hotel for disabled guests.
Three bus lines intersect in Heilshorn. They connect Heilshorn to Osterholz-Scharmbeck Bremen and surrounding areas. The Landesstraße 149 connects Heilshorn to Osterholz-Scharmbeck and the A 27. Landesstraße 135 leads south to Bremen and the A 27.
Local legends speak of Hake Betken. A race supposedly occurred on the “Mörderberg” near Heilshorn. After the race some men ambushed and killed him.
So as you leave Heilshorn think of its layers. From its ancient roots to its modern industries Heilshorn embraces the spirit of its people.