Future of the former Reutlingen sawmill: Will rescue come?

Future of the former Reutlingen sawmill: Will rescue come?

The old sawmill on the Echaz in Reutlingen, once a flourishing company, has been empty for years and is rapidly falling into disrepair. The mill was owned by the Wegst family for almost a century, who purchased it in 1912 and operated it until 1988. The mill drew its energy from the water power of the Echaz before it was only used sporadically for tours. In 2013, the sawmill changed hands when Kurt Wegst sold it to a private individual who has now rented out the adjacent residential building, which is now empty. However, as gea.de reports, the new owner plans to stop the mill's decline and is looking for cooperation with the city of Reutlingen.

Although the city still has the mill wheel, parts of the technology and the water rights, no concrete plans to renovate or revitalize the mill have yet been presented. The new owner has expressed a desire to use the historic site for cultural purposes and proposed a round table to develop ideas about the future of the sawmill. A date for these discussions has yet to be announced, but could take place soon during the year.

The importance of hydropower

Hydropower has played a major role in the history of technical development, and insight into the use of hydropower in the future can also be important in the Reutlingen region. Not only are sawmills a part of the industrial revolution, they also contribute to mill diversification, which includes around 40-50 types of commercial mills. The first documented idea for building sawmills dates back to the 13th century, with the most famous designs surviving from artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Francesco di Giorgio Martini. These historical techniques could also be important for the future use of the Reutlingen sawmill, as the website stuetings-muehle.de describes in detail.

The need to preserve and revitalize old mills and their technology is not only evident in Reutlingen. For example, a book dealing with the technological history of sawmills was recently presented at the Swabian Farm Museum in Illerbeuren. The book covers the topics of sawing, hydropower and electricity generation and might be of interest to anyone interested in the cultural and technical significance of mills. Wais & Partner emphasizes that the Hettisried sawmill is part of these discourses and, as a family business, still plays a central role today.

The challenges in Reutlingen are complex, but so are the opportunities. With a committed new owner and the city's willingness to cooperate, the future of the old sawmill on the Echaz could look promising. The integration of historical knowledge, local culture and modern use could ultimately form the basis for a new chapter in the history of this traditional mill.