Kupferhof Bauschenberg facts for kids

This old picture from 1880 shows Dollartshammer, Kupferhof Bauschenberg, and Straßburger Hof.

Kupferhof Bauschenberg was a very important factory in the 17th century. It was located in the German city of Stolberg. This factory made brass, which is a type of metal. The factory was named after a small hill called Bauschenberg.

Kupferhof Bauschenberg played a huge role in making Stolberg famous for brass. For over 100 years, Stolberg was a world leader in making this metal.

What Was Kupferhof Bauschenberg?

Kupferhof Bauschenberg was a special kind of factory. It was one of many places in Stolberg that produced brass. Brass is a useful metal made by mixing copper and zinc. These factories were often called "Kupferhöfe," which means "copper yards" in German.

Why Was Stolberg Important for Brass?

Stolberg was a perfect place to make brass in the 1600s. Several things made it ideal:

• Water Power: Rivers like the Vichtbach flowed right past the factories. This water was used to power large water wheels. These wheels helped run the machines inside the factories.
• Raw Materials: To make brass, you need certain materials.
  • Calamine (a zinc ore) was a key ingredient. It was dug up from mines nearby, like those at Breinigerberg.
  • Wood was also very important. It was used to fuel the hot furnaces needed to melt the metals. The forests of the Eifel region had plenty of wood.
• Skilled People: The city had people with the knowledge and skills to work with metals.

Who Built Kupferhof Bauschenberg?

A very rich and powerful businessman named Godfried Schardinel decided to build Kupferhof Bauschenberg. He was one of the wealthiest factory owners in Stolberg and the nearby city of Aachen. Because Stolberg had all the right conditions, Schardinel chose it as the perfect spot for his new brass factory.

What Happened to Kupferhof Bauschenberg Later?

Over many years, Kupferhof Bauschenberg joined forces with other factories. These included Dollartshammer and Straßburger Hof. Eventually, these factories became part of a much larger company called Prym. This company is still around today!