Ostwald

Geography

Ostwald is located on left bank of the Ill, in its plain of flood, from where a very light and gravelly ground. At 20 minutes of the center of Strasbourg, station, airport of Entzheim and Germany, Ostwald profits from a privileged geographical location. The city is crossed by the highway A35 which allows Ostwaldois an direct access towards the south and the west of the department (Molsheim, Obernai, Sélestat).

History

Ostwald, formerly named Wickersheim, developed gradually starting from a village at the edge of Ill.

First traces

Archaeological discoveries let think that a human habitat existed on the site at the time of the Celts. The first hard copies go up with 884 in a charter of the Emperor of Occident Charles III the Large, in connection with a village of the name of Wickersheim.

The Middle Ages and the Reform

As all is old Gaulle, Wickersheim will form a long time part of the Saint Empire Romain Germanique. At the time of the Emperor Frederic I^er Barberousse (1122-1190), the village belongs to the family of the Hohenstaufen which set up a powerful castle-extremely along the Ill. In 1285, the village is then sold by Rodolphe de Habsbourg with the family Claus Zorn of Strasbourg.

The name of the village then became Illwickersheim, but the name of Sankt Ostwald (of the name of the parish which celebrates this saint) appears sometimes.

The 14th century is difficult: the Black Death striking in 1348, of the armies of mercenaries decimates the population in 1365 and 1376.

In 1418 takes place the engagement by which the town of Strasbourg becomes owner of Illwickersheim, Graffenstaden and Illkirch. Then they are again several series of events which follow one another with until the 17th century an evolution of the village the doors of Strasbourg which undergoes crises and miseries.

After the fastening of Strasbourg in France signed with Illkirch in 1681, the village knows one period of peace and prosperity. The ground is again worked with the introduction of potato and of the culture of hemp, the livestock is improved and the village extends. Meanwhile, into homage to Anglo-Saxon king-Saint called Oswald, the village changed name certainly under the influence of Irish missionaries.

Independence at modern times

During the French revolution, the village changes last once of name and becomes Ostwald. It then strongly will develop in XIX^ème century. The commune then acquires its independence, agriculture is flourishing there. There are 657 inhabitants in 1806 and 1290 in 1895. Industrialization makes also its appearance, in particular with the workmen working with Illkirch at the Alsatian Company of Mechanical engineering (S.A.C.M.); but it is also the time of the agricultural Colony, penitentiary for minors.

In 1912, the Gérig gravel pit is exploited and creates also many jobs, the commune is equipped and developed. Unfortunately the Second world war will decimate the commune, in particular during the bombardment of September 25th, 1944.

After war

After 1945 is synonymous in Ostwald with rebuilding. The first social housing appears as of 1954 thanks to the Company of Construction of Ostwald (S.C.O.), the houses multiply, one counts nearly 3200 inhabitants in 1946. Throughout the years 1960, the commune extends and multiplies the infrastructures, housing continues to evolve/move and with the beginning of the year 1970, the district of Wihrel appears. After the new town hall inaugurated with the beginning of the year 1950, in fact new equipment will be born of 1950 to our days: new schools, in particular the Feil sector and the school of Schloessel, but also cribs and halt-nursery with the beginning of the year 1980, and the college Martin Schongauer in 1976. All that meets needs that a population generates which believes quickly: from 3584 inhabitants in 1954, one passes to 9900 inhabitants in 1982 and 10.820 in 1999.

With this fact are also reinforced the sporting and cultural infrastructures with the Sporting Center and of Leisures in the general sports years 1970, but also zone, the course of health, the installations of tennis…

Finally in the years 1980, the commune is seen equipped with a zone of activities (“the Watchtower”) which counts today more than 40 companies and in 1984 the Park Club of the Tanneries extends on Ostwald. The intramural trade suffers from the rise of large surfaces but there is currently nearly 180 trade, companies, craftsmen in the city.

To the level youth let us recall to the beginning of the year 1990, the opening of the Point of Water and the creation of the Municipal Recreational center, who offer many activities to the young people and to the children. The Water Point becomes a place of spectacle from 160 to 300 places.

Finally it there with the characteristic of a strong associative fabric, sportsman and cultural, with, including one great part is federate around OSTWALD' ANIMATION, and Council school association about fifty of Music.

Administration

Demography

Places and monuments

the castle of the Island, hotel and restaurant.

Personalities related to the commune

See too

Common of the Low-Rhine

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