Ever wondered what remains of Dortmund’s once-booming brick industry? The Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen whispers tales of a bygone era. This place was more than just a brick factory. It was a testament to Dortmund’s industrial might.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine smoke billowing from towering chimneys. Picture workers bustling about, transforming clay into bricks. The Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen, founded in 1903, rose to become one of the largest brickworks in North Rhine-Westphalia. It temporarily brought significance to the area.
Schwieringhausen itself is a district with old roots. It was first mentioned in the 13th century. Over time, it shifted between different counties before becoming part of Dortmund. The Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen played a vital role in this area.
But progress is relentless. By the 1970s, the clay reserves around Schwieringhausen dwindled. Rising energy costs due to the oil crisis made production unsustainable. The owners made a tough decision to close the Alte Ziegelei as Dortmund’s last brickworks.
The story doesn’t end there. The family running the Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen adapted. They shifted to processing Styrofoam. This material was supplied to other brick factories. New applications in construction chemistry led to a new clientele.
Here’s a quirky twist. The Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen even ventured into tennis court construction. They developed and patented covASco. It is a sport-physiologically excellent surface that resembles a traditional ash court. Their tennis court surface even reached Davis Cup standards. The family even ran a tennis hall on the grounds until 2006.
The site of the Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen has transformed over the years. After the brickworks closed, many buildings were torn down. The large clay pit was filled in. For twenty years, the RAG stored fine coal here as part of a national energy reserve.
Today, the remnants of the Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen are difficult to access. A small polystyrene production facility still operates on part of the site. This business is run by the founder’s family in the fourth generation.
The Alte Ziegelei Schwieringhausen is more than ruins. It represents the industrial history of Dortmund. It shows how businesses can adapt. This place is a reminder of the past. It is a symbol of the area’s resilience.