Ostwald

From a small village on the banks of the Ill River, Ostwald has blossomed into the vibrant town you see today. Ostwald’s story begins long ago, with whispers of Celtic settlements and a spring deemed miraculous. Archaeological discoveries hint at these early inhabitants. The first written record appears in 884, in a charter of Emperor Charles the Fat. This document mentions a village called Wickersheim. During the reign of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, the Hohenstaufen family built a mighty castle along the Ill River, right here in Ostwald. They entrusted its defense to the Wickersheim family, who gave their name to the village, Illwickersheim. In 1285, the village was sold to the Claus Zorn family of Strasbourg. Ostwald wasn’t always known as such. The name evolved from Wickersheim to Illwickersheim, sometimes called Sankt Ostwald after the local parish. The 14th century brought hardship. The Black Death ravaged the population in 1348. Mercenary armies further decimated the village in 1365 and 1376. In 1418, Strasbourg gained ownership of Ostwald, along with Graffenstaden and Illkirch. Ostwald remained under Strasbourg’s control until the French Revolution. After Strasbourg’s annexation to France in 1681, Ostwald experienced a period of peace and prosperity. Potato farming and hemp cultivation were introduced, livestock improved, and the village expanded. Around this time, possibly influenced by Irish missionaries, the village’s name changed to honor an Anglo-Saxon king-saint named Oswald. During the French Revolution, Ostwald gained independence from Strasbourg, electing its own municipality. A dispute arose over the forest, resulting in a court-ordered division in 1839. Strasbourg built the Colonie Agricole, a youth internment center, on its portion. In the 19th century, Ostwald flourished. Agriculture thrived, and the population doubled. Industrialization arrived, with many residents working at the SACM in Illkirch. The 20th century brought more change. A quarry opened in 1912, providing jobs and boosting the local economy. World War II brought a setback, with a devastating bombing in 1944. The post-war era saw Ostwald rebuild and expand, with new housing, schools, and infrastructure. A shopping center, La Vigie, opened in the 1980s. Today, Ostwald boasts a blend of history, industry, and community spirit, a testament to its resilient past.