“Imagine a time when a city’s children lacked a safe haven.” That’s the story etched into Das städtische Kinderheim Plaque. This plaque stands as a testament to a building that once housed hundreds of children. A building that has profoundly shaped Karlsruhe’s history.
Before this grand structure stood in its place a much smaller facility. A Kinderpflegehaus. Part of the Städtisches Armenpflegerhaus. This building. Constructed in 1903-1904. Was initially designed for a maximum of 40 children. It soon became overcrowded. Housing over 70 children. The conditions were deplorable. The child mortality rate soared to 10%.
These tragic circumstances led to a much-needed change. In 1912-1913. A new home was built. A substantial 4000-square-meter site. Located at the corner of Sybel- and Wiesenstraße. Today known as Stuttgarter Straße. Architect Friedrich Beichel. Head of the Städtisches Hochbauamt. Designed this new home. A four-story structure with a central section. It was built to accommodate 146 infants. Young children. And teenagers up to 14 years old. Its architectural design drew inspiration from Friedrich Weinbrenner. The renowned Residenzbaumeister. The building also incorporated elements of the Art Nouveau style.
On September 16 1913 Das städtische Kinder- und Säuglingsheim opened its doors. Six sisters of the Badischer Frauenverein. Together with 68 children from the Kinderpflegehaus. Moved into the new facility. The First World War led to overcrowding. Soon the home’s capacity exceeded 160 children. A branch was even opened in an old train station. This branch operated until 1918.
The steady high number of children needing a home necessitated an expansion. In 1926-1927. Beichel added another 80 spaces. This new south wing housed the infant and toddler ward. This wing was always full. The home also started training young women as infant and child nurses in 1915. The city took over the Säuglingspflegerinnenschule making it a state-recognized institution.
The Second World War brought new challenges. Over 180 children were evacuated. First to Prien am Chiemsee from September 1939 to July 1940. Then to Ettlingen and Langensteinbach. After the war. Only the main building remained. The south wing housed a city hospital. Then the youth office until 1955.
After the war. Das städtische Kinderheim was fundamentally changed. The large dormitory system was replaced with smaller units fostering a more personal and child-centered approach. It transitioned into a modern educational and transitional home. This change reflected the reforms taking place in child care.
The goal shifted. From simply housing children. To supporting children’s development. Within their families. Or in alternative care settings. The focus now was on individualized psychological. Psychotherapeutic. and social-pedagogical support.
Today. the site is part of the Heimstiftung Karlsruhe. The plaque before you serves as a powerful reminder. A symbol of Karlsruhe’s commitment to protecting its children. It’s a poignant reminder of the incredible changes that have occurred. From the grim realities of the early 20th century. To the contemporary child-centered approaches. This plaque tells a story of evolution. Resilience. And the enduring importance of safeguarding the welfare of children.