From the Beginning of the 19hundreds to the End of the „Twenties”

Image of Herrieden,
Oil on canvas, painted by an unknown artist from the 2nd half of the 19th century. The painting, dimensions 45,4 x 66 cm, can only be seen at Herrieden city hall since 1993. The city purchased it at an auction in Vienna.

A brief stroll through Herrieden

Sometimes, it seems as though we could travel back to our own childhood or even further, into the childhoods of our parents and grandparents. As though we could pick any day we please in the year 1918, stroll through the Vordere Gasse, down to the abbey church and, en route, encounter our ancestors. Perhaps, our first impression would be that, back then, everything went at a much slower and more comfortable pace. For sure, we would have to get used a little to the atmosphere of that time. For instance to the smells and sounds of the old Herriedens. And then we pass these workers who, incidentally, „today” of all days, are there in the market square.

And only now do we realize that it is not only us looking at the people of the year 1918 as exotic entities but that the paviours of bygone times also stopped there work briefly then, to look over to us with more than just a little amazement.

The „inn and lifestock trade” of Heinrich Raila was very popular with our ancestors for at least two reasons: Here, year after year and with plenty of drink, the Anna feast was celebrated, often well into the wee morning hours. Further, the inn had one of a total of six bowling alleys in Herrieden. Bowling alleys, in that time, were popular meeting points for young people just like discotheques are today.

One of the meeting points for the children of Herrieden was the „Wäschbuck””, down from the gate inn toward Altmühl. The winters had plenty of snow and a sleigh was the most wonderful present one could think of. At school, the children were still beaten with a stick. They learned how to read and write and to add up. One „enjoyed” a „national-empirical” education. Each child was supposed to know the German colonies by heart.

When Herrieden still had a prison

At first glance, a person to evoke respect of the highest degree: Michael Endres used to be, in one person, court officiant, bailiff and prison guard. Whoever knew him also knew his dog „Berry”. Anyone running into the two of them would have probably hastened to say hello.
Yet Michael Endres was a man with a good heart, first of all also a family man. He especially loved Sunday afternoons. Then, one would see him and his entire family in one of the gardens of Herrieden, for instance the „Restauration” at the train station, which used to have a wonderful beer garden.

His wife Elisabeth always had to industriously help, especially when it came to looking after the small-time criminals in the prison. They might have been able to complain about a lot but what they could never complain about was the food. Whoever had done something wrong – often, these were beggars and gypsies, apprentices and those who drank too much at the Kirchweih feast – was issued a „room” in the district court prison. In winter, the house was always better occupied than in summer. And it was known everywhere as „Cafe Endres”.

The station, the „Bockerla” and the „Reschtrant”

„Good old time”. When there was still a splendid railway station building in Herrieden. When the engine drivers were still as friendly as the „Bockerla” slow. When one still leant back in the railway restaurant and had one's pint of beer served at the bowling alley.

Stopping for a bite at the „Limbacher” and at the „Bergwirt”

His inn, a public house of old, Max Limbacher had totally refurbished in 1910. As usual, as „slogan” he had some original postcards printed. His beer he good from the „steam brewery” Wehr. There was an „extra-table for card-playing, pure wines, proper waitressing”. When this „slogan” appeared (as part of a postcard), there had just been the „Black Friday” at New York, marking the start of a global economy crisis with worldwide recession and mass unemployment.

Just like Max Limbacher, the old hill innkeeper (Bergwirt) Max Schneider used to enjoy advertising his restaurant. The people of Ansbach kept finding a „Bergwirt”– ad in their newspaper: „Martinsberg near Herrieden – most beautiful excursion site for Ansbach and surrounds / shady gardens with new garden hall / splendid views across the lower Altmühl valley”. He advertised for the carefully brewed beers of the Wehr brewery, and for his freshly-butchered meat platter. As speciality of the house, he serves his guests Sauerfleisch mit Kloß und Weck, which is pork neck broiled in sour onion stock.

Working Life in old Herrieden

An image as could be seen any day at any Franconian village for centuries: The horse is put before the plough and the farmers' family sets out for fieldwork.
In the 20ties, the horse suddenly gets competition from a steel monster that has much more horsepower. It makes a hellish noise, rattles and clanks. Once put into operation, however, it convinces with immense strength and staying power. The farmers from Rös are also impressed by the performance of this tractor, which is still driving on iron wheels and belongs to a colleague from Seebronn.