Today, let’s explore Essen-West, also known as Stadtbezirk III. It’s more than just a district. It is a collection of unique neighborhoods.
Essen-West includes Altendorf, Frohnhausen, Holsterhausen, Fulerum, Haarzopf and Margarethenhöhe. Each has its own story. The district’s history is rich and varied. Some parts were first mentioned centuries ago.
Let’s start with Altendorf. This “old village” was once split into Oberdorf and Unterdorf. The Oberhof Ehrenzell belonged to the Essen Abbey. Altendorf, Frohnhausen, and Holsterhausen formed the Dreibauerschaftsquartier. In 1808, after the Essen Abbey’s dissolution, these places went to Borbeck. But in 1874, they formed their own administration. Then, in 1901, Altendorf was integrated into Essen.
Next is Frohnhausen. Like Altendorf, it was part of the Dreibauerschaftsquartier. It also belonged to the Essen Abbey. Frohnhausen shared Altendorf’s administrative journey. It went from Borbeck to its own administration and finally to Essen in 1901.
Holsterhausen has a longer documented history. It was first mentioned in 966. Emperor Otto I gifted the Hof Ehrenzell to the Essen Abbey. Holsterhausen followed the same path as Altendorf and Frohnhausen. It was part of Borbeck and later Essen.
Now, let’s talk about Fulerum. It was first mentioned in the 11th century. Count Berg gifted it to Werden Abbey. Fulerum was administered by several nearby places. These included Haarzopf, Altendorf and Mülheim-Heissen. In 1910, Fulerum became part of Essen.
Haarzopf’s first written record is from 1215. The Counts of Berg gifted “Hartzappe” to Werden Abbey. “Hartz” means deer and “appe” means flowing water. The place was named Haarzopf in 1830. It belonged to Heissen and later Bredeney. It became part of Essen in 1915.
Lastly, there’s Margarethenhöhe. This area was originally part of Rüttenscheid. Rüttenscheid was integrated in 1905. Margarethe Krupp founded the “garden city” in 1906. This was for her daughter Bertha’s wedding. Georg Metzendorf designed and built it from 1906 to 1938. It was built for Krupp’s employees. It is known as an example of humane living.
Today, Essen-West is a vibrant part of Essen. The green party is actively involved in local politics. They address issues like mobility, waste management and traffic. They work with other parties to improve the district.
The district is divided into several “Stadtteile”. Each Stadtteil has its own unique character. These areas include Frohnhausen, Altendorf, Holsterhausen and others. Each contributes to the district’s diverse identity.
Essen III, the electoral constituency, includes Essen-West. It also includes other districts such as Rüttenscheid and Werden. Matthias Hauer of the CDU has represented it in the Bundestag since 2013.
So, as we stand here, remember the layers of history beneath our feet. Essen-West’s journey from ancient villages to a modern district is remarkable. Each neighborhood adds to the story. It’s a blend of the past and the present.