Altbach is a municipality in the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg. It belongs to the Stuttgart Region. (until 1992 Region Mittlerer Neckar) and the European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart.
Geography
Geographical location
Altbach lies on the southern slope of the Schurwald into the valley of the Neckar between Plochingen upstream and Esslingen am Neckar downstream. The old Neckar runs through the municipal area, which reaches to the right bank of the present course of the river, in an arc on the right bank, above which lie the residential areas crossed by the Altbach towards the Old arm, while on the flat river island between the runs there are mostly industrial areas of the Neckar valley.
The district is rich in springs, and so the community can cover 45% of its drinking water needs from its own wells.
Municipal division
No other places belong to the community of Altbach except the village of Altbach.
Neighbouring communities
Adjacent communities are in turn the cities Esslingen am Neckar in the west and north, Plochingen in the east and the community Deizisau in the south. All towns belong to the district of Esslingen.
Area distribution
According to data from Statistical State Office, status 2014.
History
Until the 19th century
Finds of row cemeteries and the early documentary mention indicate an early medieval foundation of the settlement. Altbach was first mentioned 783 in the Lorsch Codex. In the 13th century the Counts of Aichelberg acquired the village, but sold it piece by piece to the Kloster Adelberg. With the Reformation (1535), the state sovereignty arrived Württemberg, Altbach remained part of the Monastery Office Adelberg.. From 1806 Altbach belonged to the Oberamt Eßlingen in the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1819 Altbach was separated from the neighbouring Zell, today a district of Esslingen, and has existed as an independent community since then. In 1846 Altbach was connected to the railway network of the Württemberg Railway with its own railway station, thus creating the conditions for the industrialisation.
From the 20th century
In 1904 Altbach was connected to the electricity grid, followed one year later by the construction of a water pipeline. Between 1922 and 1923 the parish separated ecclesiastically from its mother village Zell and had a parish vestry until 1931. During World War II about 10 to 12 houses were damaged and two civilians were killed. In 1984 Altbach celebrated its 1200th anniversary. From 1999 to 15 December 2000 the new development area Egertenäcker was built.
Population development
The population figures are census results (¹) or official updates of the Land Statistical Office (only main residences).
Politics
City council
The municipal council in Altbach has 18 members. The municipal elections on 26 May 2019 led to the following final result. The local council consists of the elected honorary local councillors and the mayor as chairman. The mayor is entitled to vote in the municipal council.
Mayors
1819–1830: Johann Georg Reyer
1830–1857: Georg Friedrich Barth
1857–1889: Michael Frick
1890–1896: Johannes Hermann
1896–1901: Heinrich Utz
1901–1945: Louis Friedrich Raith
1945–1946: Albert Schloz
1946–1948: Willy Burgenmeister
1948–1966: Wilhelm Römer
1966–2001: Walter Stetter
2002–2017: Wolfgang Benignus
since 1. January 2018: Martin Funk
In December 2017 the mayor of Ohmden, Martin Funk, was elected to succeed Wolfgang Benignus, who is retiring due to age. Funk received 38.08% of the votes in the second ballot.
Crest
Blazoning: in red an upwardly curved silver (white) diagonal bar
The coat of arms was originally held by the local nobility of Altbach. The flag colours are white-red. The coat of arms and flag colours were awarded to the municipality by the state government in 1954.
Economy and Infrastructure
Traffic
Altbach is connected to the B 10 (Stuttgart-Ulm) and in rail transport with the Filstalbahn and the S-Bahn line S1 to the VVS.
On December 19, 2006, the world's first people mover that crosses railway tracks was put into operation in Altbach.
Education
Altbach has a primary school, four kindergartens and a local library.