Once a village now a district Ickern welcomes you. Today we will explore Ickern. It is a vibrant part of Castrop-Rauxel. But first a little orientation.
Castrop-Rauxel lies in the eastern Ruhr area. It sits within North Rhine-Westphalia Germany. The city is positioned between several significant neighbors. Dortmund is to the southeast. Bochum lies to the southwest. Herne is to the west. Recklinghausen is to the northwest. Datteln is to the north. Waltrop sits to the northeast.
Now, back to Ickern itself. In 2005 Ickern had a population of 16650. The Rhine-Herne Canal and Emscher River flow through Castrop-Rauxel. They pass through the northern districts of Pöppinghausen Habinghorst Henrichenburg and Ickern.
The story of Ickern is interwoven with the broader history of Castrop-Rauxel. Let’s jump back in time. The first documented mention of Castrop was in 834. It was then known as “Villa Castorpe”. The name’s origin may come from Germanic words. “Trop” meant village. “Kast” meant barn or depot. Rauxel a northern part of the city joined Castrop in 1926.
The railway’s arrival in 1847 was a game changer. It linked Cologne to Minden. A train station arose north of Castrop. This boosted the village’s economy. The first coal mine Zeche Erin opened in 1869. William Thomas Mulvany an Irish industrialist founded it. Six more coal mines sprang up around Castrop after that.
In 1902 Castrop achieved municipal status. This merger included Obercastrop and Behringhausen. Its population was then 13917. Then came April 1 1926. Castrop-Rauxel was created. Castrop united with 10 other municipalities. Rauxel was the largest of these. It had 19800 residents.
During World War II Castrop-Rauxel was a target. A plant there used the Bergius process. It produced synthetic oil products. The city endured 35 air raids. Twenty-four percent of it was destroyed. In 1961 Castrop-Rauxel reached its peak population. It had 87910 residents.
Henrichenburg was annexed in 1975. Then Castrop-Rauxel became part of the Recklinghausen district. The last coal mine “Erin” closed in 1984. This led to a population decline.
Today Castrop-Rauxel seeks to be more than a former mining hub. It aims for modern living and recreation. It welcomes new economy companies. It has a 27-hole golf course. Various cultural events take place here.
Metalworking and electronics are key sectors. The Westphalian State Theater provides entertainment. Horse racing has historical ties to Castrop. The Reiterbrunnen in the market square is a reminder. It commemorates races held until 1970.
So, as we conclude our visit to Ickern remember its journey. From a small village to a vital part of Castrop-Rauxel, Ickern’s story reflects resilience growth and change. It is a place where the past and future intertwine shaping the present.