Short History:
Excerpts according to Klaus Mueller on the Stadt Schoenwald website and
quoting Hans Wohlrab in the “Schoenwalder Heimatbuch”:
Schoenwald was a settlement of several farms already 700 years ago, which belonged to the house of Foster, mentioned the first time in writing in the year 1316.
The farmers, mostly subjects of the local gentry grew flax and grains and subsided their meager income with the production of charcoal and the harvesting of pitch from the abundant spruce trees in the region. Hence the name Schön-wald - Beautiful Woods.
After belonging to the Earl(s) of Nuremberg (1412) and from 1792 to Prussia it finally became part of Bavaria in 1810.
The ever changing houses of gentry/nobility owning the settlement through the centuries did nothing to eliminate the poverty of the population.
At about 1830 a token of prosperity finally reached the village through the introduction of weaving looms.
Finally in 1879 when J. N. Müller established the first porcelain factory, Schoenwald became part of the “industrial revolution” and with it was “put on the map”.
Schoenwald went from a village to a township in 1938 and received the title of city “Stadt” in 1954.
The annexation of the region by Bavaria in 1810 was the reason the village stayed in the American occupied area after World War II and with it was part of the Western World during the Cold War era.
During that time this region was locked down in the North and the East by the Iron Curtain and you can actually say that it was completely “nailed shut” on these sides.
The modern China factory is still the largest employer in town and exports their wares to
many countries all around the globe. The link below is to the company website:
Industry and Economy:
As mentioned before the main industry here are represented by the Porcelain factories as the raw materials for it are plentiful in this region. Weaving, Plastics, Glass and Tool & Die also contribute heavily to the economy here.
The Beer and also the Wine region along the river Main are highly regarded by connoisseurs.
A major part in this area’s economy is also played by tourism. The small town charm is at home in most cities and villages in this area and ideal for an either relaxing or action packed stay here.
Even your health can benefit here with the focus on quite a few spa towns in the region.