Alte Druckerei Luyken

The Alte Druckerei Luyken in Gummersbach, nestled in the picturesque region of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, is a remarkable historical landmark that tells the story of the town's rich cultural and industrial heritage. This venerable building, once a bustling printing house, stands as a testament to the evolution of the printing industry and the indomitable spirit of innovation that has characterized Gummersbach for centuries.

The Origins of Alte Druckerei Luyken

The roots of Alte Druckerei Luyken stretch back to the early 19th century. The original structure, erected in 1812, is believed to have been built upon the foundations of an even older edifice, possibly destroyed in one of the many fires that plagued the town. The building's proximity to the Oberbergischer Dom, Gummersbach's iconic cathedral, hints at a shared historical narrative that intertwines religious and secular influences.

In the early 1800s, Friedrich Gerhard Amberger, a prominent printer, publisher, and bookseller from Solingen, acquired the building. He established a branch of his Solingen printing business here, marking the beginning of the building's long association with the printing industry. The printing house, known as Alte Druckerei Luyken, remained under the ownership of Friedrich Luyken and his son Carl until it was sold to Otto Waelde in 1905. Despite the change in ownership, the name Friedrich Luyken continued to be associated with the printing house, a stipulation enshrined in the sale contract.

A Hub of Innovation and Cultural Exchange

Alte Druckerei Luyken was more than just a printing house; it was a hub of innovation and cultural exchange. Around 1835, an extension was added to the southern part of the building, expanding its capacity and enabling it to accommodate more advanced printing equipment. This expansion marked the beginning of a period of significant growth and development for the printing house.

The printing house played a crucial role in the dissemination of information and ideas in the region. It was here that the first regional and interregional newspaper, the Aggerblatt, was printed in 1835. The newspaper, which covered news from Waldbröl, Engelskirchen, Gummersbach, and Wipperfürth, was later renamed the Gummersbacher Kreisblatt in 1843 to reflect its inclusion of official announcements. This publication was instrumental in establishing Gummersbach as a regional center of communication and information.

The Birthplace of Industrial Innovation

The historical significance of Alte Druckerei Luyken extends beyond its contributions to the printing industry. It was here that the foundations were laid for what would become one of the most successful industrial enterprises in the Oberberg region: L. & C. Steinmüller. In the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, Friedrich Luyken sought a more efficient way to power his new English printing press. The steam boilers of the time were unreliable and prone to explosions, posing a significant risk to the printing house.

Enter Lebrecht Steinmüller, a talented young engineer who had married Luyken's daughter, Elise. Steinmüller, who had grown up in his father's paper mill and was well-versed in the latest steam engine technology, offered to build a steam boiler for the printing house. In 1873, Luyken and Steinmüller traveled to the Vienna World's Fair in search of suitable technology but found none that met their needs. Undeterred, Steinmüller decided to build the boiler himself.

The result was the first Steinmüller boiler, which was installed and operational in Alte Druckerei Luyken by 1874. This pioneering piece of equipment remained in use until 1883 and is now housed in the Deutsches Museum in Munich, a testament to the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that defined the era.

A Legacy Preserved

Despite its historical significance, Alte Druckerei Luyken faced numerous challenges in the 20th century. The printing house was confiscated by the National Socialists in 1936, and after World War II, it resumed operations until the early 1980s when it relocated to the Wiehl-Bomig industrial area to accommodate further expansion.

In the 1960s, the building briefly served as the home of the Heimatstube of the Heimatkreis Lauenburg - Pommern, a local history museum. However, by April 2010, parts of the building had fallen into disrepair, leading to the demolition of some of its extensions due to roof collapses and the risk of structural failure.

The End of an Era

The final chapter in the story of Alte Druckerei Luyken came in January 2012 when the remaining above-ground structures were demolished. While the heating cellar and some smaller basement facades were preserved, the ancient vaulted cellar of the core building was destroyed without prior archaeological investigation, a loss that has been lamented by historians and preservationists alike.

Today, the site where Alte Druckerei Luyken once stood remains a poignant reminder of Gummersbach's rich industrial heritage. Though the building itself is gone, its legacy lives on in the stories of innovation, resilience, and cultural exchange that continue to inspire the people of Gummersbach and beyond.