Around 1140 Gaisburg first appeared in records. It was a small settlement nestled on a hillside. It had its own mayor and court. Gaisburg was part of the Stuttgart district not Cannstatt. This is because Stuttgart held the court for larger legal matters. By 1545 Gaisburg boasted 31 households about 100 people. The wealthiest resident owned 740 Gulden. A significant portion of the population lived in poverty.
Despite its humble beginnings Gaisburg played a vital role in Stuttgart’s history. The area’s rich soil supported extensive viticulture. Wine production shaped the local economy. This lasted well into the 19th century. The Thirty Years War brought hardship. The town was raided twice. Disease ravaged the population. The 1784 flood brought malaria epidemics. These continued until the marshlands were filled in 1838-40.
Gaisburg’s proximity to Stuttgart made it a popular destination. People enjoyed the views and the local wine. The Schlssle inn was a favorite gathering place. Famous writers frequented the area. The area’s popularity led to the construction of many inns. By 1878 there were 35 taverns. The area became a lively hub for social and recreational activities.
The Industrial Revolution transformed Gaisburg. The arrival of factories attracted many workers. New housing developments sprouted. A clear division appeared between the long-time residents and the newcomers. The Gaswerk gas factory opened in 1875. It led to further population growth. However living conditions remained poor for both groups. Infant mortality was very high. The Gaswerk’s coal gas production was famous. It created “Gaisburger rain” a frequent local drizzle.
Despite these challenges Gaisburg also embraced modernity. The local newspaper the Gaisburger Zeitung began publishing in 1877. A post office opened in 1878. The Klingenbach stream was channeled in the mid-1880s. A telegraph and telephone office opened in 1890. A doctor took up residence the same year. Access to clean drinking water was provided in 1891. By 1898 Gaisburg had 20 local organizations. Many of these reflected the class divisions of the time. The local political scene was vibrant and reflected these differences as well.
On April 1 1901 Gaisburg was incorporated into Stuttgart. This was a momentous occasion. Stuttgart needed access to the Neckar river. Gaisburg provided land for expansion. This included housing and factories. Gaisburg’s gas factory brought significant revenue. Conditions for incorporation were negotiated. They included improvements to the infrastructure. This meant road construction a streetcar line and gas service. In 1904 the streetcar arrived in Gaisburg. The city slaughterhouse opened in 1905-09. A new school was built in 1911. The Gaswerk was modernized in 1913. The church was completed the same year.
World War I impacted Gaisburg. Many young men died fighting for Germany. The following Weimar Republic era is less well documented. However we know that the Spartakus uprising of 1919 involved Gaisburg. Economic prosperity in the 1920s saw industrial expansion. The large gasometer was built. The Gaisburger Bridge spanned the Neckar. The Catholic Herz-Jesu church was built. The Social Democrats erected the Waldheim Raichberg.
The Nazi era brought changes. Nazi rule was met with resistance. The Nazis banned worker clubs and seized their property. The Waldheim was taken over by the Nazi party. This was the end of a long history of active political organization. The local Jewish community’s fate is still largely unknown. A forced labor camp was established. It became a prisoner of war camp during World War II. The “Gaisburger Marsch” dish was first mentioned in 1933. Allied bombing raids devastated Gaisburg. The April 15 1943 bombing of the POW camp killed hundreds. Retreating German forces destroyed the Gaisburger Bridge.
Post-war reconstruction was swift. The Gaisburg power plant opened in 1950. The bridge was rebuilt in 1953. Gaisburg along with Berg Gablenberg and Ostheim formed the Stuttgart-Ost district in 1957. Gaisburg has gradually become a desirable residential area. However challenges remain. The future of former industrial areas offers significant opportunities for redevelopment. Gaisburg may once again embrace its connection to the Neckar river.