Peeking out from Dortmund’s southwestern edge lies Kruckel. It is a place where history whispers from old buildings and echoes along the Rheinische Esel. Today, we will delve into Kruckel.
Kruckel’s story stretches back to 1274. Ditmarus Kruckelo was mentioned in old documents. Over the years, the name changed. Johannes de Crukelo and Johan van Krukelo appeared in records. These names paint a picture of Kruckel’s long past. It was once a small farming community. Four farms and a cottage sat between the Grotenbach stream and the Ardey mountains.
Coal changed Kruckel. The Vereinigte Wiendahlsbank mine started in 1856. It operated until 1924. In 1905, RWE built the Kruckel power plant nearby. It was taken over in 1908. Later, an electrical substation was added. Today, the substation is being expanded. It will become a key energy hub for southern Germany.
The Rheinische Esel runs through Kruckel. This bicycle path follows an old railway line. The Kruckel sign stands at kilometer 10.8. Cross the bridge over the Glasweg to reach Witten.
Few physical reminders of Kruckel’s mining history remain. Street names and renovated buildings hint at the past. Look for the Wiendahlsbank mine’s entrance. Around 1900, workers’ houses were built. These have since been modernized. “Klein-Berlin,” a mining colony, was torn down for the A45 autobahn around 1970. The Boverfeld settlement emerged between Johannisbergstraße and Rüdinghauser Straße in recent decades.
Kruckel also had a glass factory from 1856 to 1932. It was located at Stattskamp. Today, Kruckel is mainly residential. Many people commute to Dortmund or Witten. The Dortmund-Kruckel train station provides easy access. The 448 bus line also connects Kruckel to Witten.
Kruckel sits close to Witten. It is just outside Dortmund’s A45 ring road. Kruckel is set apart from Dortmund’s city center. Large properties and family homes dot the landscape. There are also apartment buildings and row houses.
Kruckel has few shops. However, neighboring areas offer plenty of options. The large RWE electrical substation stands out. Its high-voltage power lines reach into the sky. Kruckel has kindergartens and an elementary school. The TuS Kruckel sports field is near the Kruckel elementary school.
The Grotenbach stream flows through Kruckel. It is part of the Emschergenossenschaft system. Waste water pipes were installed to clean the stream. The old concrete bed was removed.
Kruckel’s story shows how much this place has changed. From a small farming village to a mining town to a residential suburb, Kruckel is a great place to explore. Its history is still visible today, if you know where to look.