History – No memory of Hitler Platz – Bad Tolls Wolfratshausen

Today Waldram was founded as an armaments workers settlement during National Socialism, then was a Holocaust survivor camp under American occupation and then became the home of Catholic expelled. The smallest district of Wolfratshausen is particularly steeped in history. The change of times was also evident in the street names. For example, today Kolpingplatz is called first Danziger Freiheit, and then the place of independence. Adolf-Hitler-Platz became Roosevelt Square and finally the Symposium Square.

This particular story is documented at the Badehaus Memorial Site. Its operators, “citizens of Badehaus Waldram-Föhrenwald”, wanted to make them visible again in the area – with additional signs that complement the historical names. The association wanted a total of 69 of these panels to be fixed to street signs and house walls. But, on Tuesday, the city council’s cultural committee by a large majority rejected a similar request, which was submitted in September last year in coordination with the responsible departments of the city administration in the spring. City councils did not want to see names from the Nazi era, led by Adolf Hitler Platz, on the street without comment. She added that the information board in the area and documents in the bathroom already indicate the change in street names.

Mayor Klaus Hellinglechner (Citizens’ Assembly) said he had told the club’s president, Sibyl Kraft, that he was critical of references to the Nazi era. “I have concerns about whether that might also attract a supporter or supporters at this time.” Manfred Fleischer (Wolfratshauser List) described the idea, which he estimated to cost around 20,000 euros, “incredible.” When he thought of reading Adolf-Hitler-Platz on a banner, he said, “Don’t spit it out,” he said. “We become a mockery of the region and receive applause from the wrong side.” Fleischer says he’s lived in Waldram for more than 20 years and knows some locals who “don’t think much of an idea.” But the association did not even ask them before submitting the application. “Dram is not an experimental field,” he said. In the bathroom there is a “wonderful map” with all the old street names. “Citizens don’t need them to find their way home.”

Manfred Mink and Fritz Meixner (both SPD) shared concerns about Nazi names. Mink suggested perhaps adding QR codes to street signs, which could lead to longer explanations online. Meixner thought the idea was good, but saw “too big a question mark” in the implementation. Instead, he suggested an audio guide that history buffs could pick up in the bathroom to be guided through the streets. That’s also a good thing for the club, said Hellinglechner, who is finally happy with the visitors.

In the end, only Annette Heinloth (the Greens) voted for the application. She said she’s always found additional interpretations about street signs in other cities to enrich her – and she can imagine Waldram’s unique story “can be experienced at certain points.” However, she also disputed the fact that Adolf Hitler Platz was mentioned on the banners. “I don’t want to read such a name in public,” Heinloth said.