Step back in time to 1914. This is the year when the Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde began its operations.
The Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde stands as a testament to Berlin’s industrial past. Let’s delve into its story. The Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde started producing gas in 1914. It was a significant facility in Berlin’s gas network.
Did you know that the Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde was shut down in 1985? Several buildings of the Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde are protected as historical monuments. This preservation highlights the site’s importance. The gas production at Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde lasted until 1985.
After its active production years the Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde transitioned into a container station. It was supplied by the Gaswerk Lichtenberg. Gaswerk Lichtenberg was only 300 meters away.
Imagine the bustle of activity here in its early days. Coal arrived. Workers labored. Gas flowed to power homes and businesses.
Berlin had a vast network of gasworks. According to GASAG, Berlin had 33 gasworks. It also had 119 large gasometers within its boundaries.
The city’s first gas plant was the English Gasworks. It was established in 1826 by the Imperial Continental Gas Association. By 1920, Greater Berlin was formed. It included Berlin and surrounding towns. These towns often had their own gasworks. This resulted in 33 gasworks within the city. Many closed between 1923 and 1929.
During World War II many gasworks suffered heavy damage. After the war Berlin was divided. In West Berlin, gas production continued at Tegel until 1953. Neukölln operated until 1966. Charlottenburg and Mariendorf continued until 1995 and 1996 respectively. Schöneberg also ran until 1995. In East Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg produced gas until 1981. Lichtenberg continued until 1984 or 1985.
The eastern part of Berlin connected to a long-distance gas network in 1961. Supply came from Lauchhammer and Schwarze Pumpe. The city began converting to natural gas in 1978. By 1985 East Berlin ceased city gas production. West Berlin switched to processing Soviet natural gas.
Today none of Berlin’s original 33 gasworks remain. Of the 119 large gasometers only a few survive.
The Ehemaliges Gaswerk Friedrichsfelde played its part in this history. Its buildings stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era. They remind us of Berlin’s transformation.