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1567: the „Letton pits“ were
mentioned for the first time in written form
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1740: the clay was mined in
21 open-cast pits
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Because of the surface water,
the pits were often drowned and the mining was finally moved underground.
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1768: at the south-western
rim of the deposit, a main shaft was digged to divert the water. Until it
was closed, this shaft was also used for the air-conditioning of the mine
and as an entrance.
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The frequently changing
conditions of ownership made it difficult to insure an orderly mining, in
some parts there was even an over-exploiting (only the very best clay was
mined). During that time, the technical rules of mining, like a properly
done maintenance, the extension of the pits and a professional water
supply, were neglected.
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a1798: the administration of
the town withdraw the lease from the tenants Wasmuth and Kuhn and decided
to run the mine on its own.
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During the Napoleonic Wars
the mine didn’t make any profits and thus the town decided to lease it
once again. The clay mine was let to the highest-bidding for a certain
time. This lease was an additional source of income for the town.
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The beginning
industrialisation gave an idea of the possibilities of the clay to the
Klingenberg citizens.
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a1848: A group of citizens
pleaded, that the mine should be run by the town again. In the chronicle
„700 Jahre Stadt Klingenberg“ you can even read of a clay-feud:
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In a report dated 26 June
1855, the town reproached the tenants for over-exploiting and neglect of
the mine, which was diagnosed in a report by the mining authority of Orb.
The town demanded to run the mine on its own.
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In a governmental decision
dated 29 November 1855, the administration of the town was granted the
permission for running the mine and that is the case until today.
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From 1860 to the outbreak of
World War I, the Klingenberg mine experienced its „golden years“. The high
profits made it possible to pay a so-called citizen’s gratuity and to
finance many representative buildings and establishments (the school, the
bridge over the Main, the water pipes, a power station etc.). From 1912 to
1913, the town paid 400 Mark to each citizen.
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In the years 1918 to 1930
the miners suffered from the consequences of the lost war and the
following economical crisis. The export broke down completely and the
losses augmented. Due to a steadfast planning, the mine was on the upswing
again in 1938. World War II put an end to all extension-works, many of the
miners were conscripted to the army, but nevertheless one tried to
increase the mining.
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Without the employment of
soviet prisoners of war, this would hardly have been possible, but some of
the plans had to be postponed. As a conseqence the shaft 21 couldn’t be
taken into service until 1940. It was the first shaft which wasn’t digged
into the deposit but into the surrounding bunter. Thus it was also the
first shaft which wasn’t exposed anymore to the mountain pressure caused
by the mining. Thanks to this foresighted decision by the then
chief-overman, Kurt Barthel, the shaft can be used until today as a
hoisting-shaft.
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In consequence to a decrease
of sales in the year 1960, the decision was taken to rationalise the mine
and to reduce the work force.
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Today, a personnel of 6 men
can meet the increasing worldwide demand for the Klingenberg special-clay
produchts.
