Perhaps Friedrich Schiller himself once walked this very street. This is Schillerstrasse 20 in Heidelberg. It is named for the famed poet. He lived from 1759 to 1805. This street wasn’t always named after Schiller.
Originally, it was called the “Östliche Diagonalstrasse.” That means Eastern Diagonal Street. The street got its current name in 1905. This was when the area was developed. Heidelberg honored the famous writer. Now it is Schillerstrasse 20.
Imagine Heidelberg around 1900. The city was growing. The Heidelberg-Mythos was being invented. The Schillerstrasse was part of that story. Think about the sounds of construction. New buildings went up. The street took shape. In 1900, Heidelberg had a different feel. There were far fewer people on Earth.
The city directory listed various trades. There were 5 apothecaries. Seven beer breweries existed. Eighteen bookbinders crafted their wares. Six Elfenbeinschnitzer created ivory carvings. Twenty-nine Fischer fished in the Neckar. Two Gürtler made belts. Thirty Buch and Kunsthandlungen sold books and art. Seven Fahrrad-Handlungen offered bicycles. Thirteen Mehl-Handlungen sold flour. Three Kärcher plied their trade. Two Kübler worked with tubs. Thirteen Küfer crafted barrels. Three Leichenschauer prepared the deceased. Six Lithographen produced lithographs. Thirty-two Lohnkutscher drove carriages. Three Messerschmiede sharpened knives. Five Zitherlehrer taught music. Four Optiker worked with lenses. Seven Pflästerer paved the streets. Three Posamentiere created trimmings. Eight Schäftenmacher crafted shafts. Two Siebmacher made sieves. Four Tuchscherer und Dekatierer finished cloth. Fourteen Wagner built wagons. Two Zinngießer cast pewter.
This area around Schillerstrasse 20 changed a lot over time. The street was built up in 1905. Many things happened in Heidelberg around that time. The city was modernizing. More women gained access to universities. Electric streetcars began running. The Heidelberg-Wiesloch line was a notable project. These streetcars connected Heidelberg to surrounding towns. People traveled more easily. The Landfried company moved its tobacco operations to Heidelberg. This brought jobs and industry. All these things contributed to Heidelberg’s growth.
The city continues to evolve. Schillerstrasse 20 stands as a reminder of Heidelberg’s past. It links the city’s literary history with its urban development. It shows how Heidelberg has changed and stayed the same.