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 | Baltrum chronicle |
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In 1398 our island was mentioned in a document for the first time as "Balteringe" and it leaves the question with regards to how many people had settled down on Baltrum unanswered. When we read through the chronicle on storm floods we come across the Marcellus storm flood of 1362 that ruined so many settlements on the Northsea coast.
"And Baltrum a spade of sand,
slipped out of a Giant's hand,
swept by wind and waves"
Several findings from old times led to the belief that people probably moved to Baltrum in the 13th and 14th century. It is a known fact, that the west point of Baltrum was situated approximately 4.5 km further west 400 years ago, which means it would have been located on the east end of the island of Norderney today. There is proofthat 1400 households existed around 1700. Because of storm floods in the 18th century the islanders were forced to move their townships and churches further and further eastwards. Through the centuries the islanders have led a poor and modest life.
Fishing towns turned into towns for skippers. Both professions were not just heavy, but life threatening circumstances came with them as well. Losing one's boat, net and ship was something that happened frequently. From the middle of the19th century onwards, big profits were made. The captains turned into citizens, who were well off. Souvenirs from distant parts of the world, Delft tiles and "Buddeleien" (wall cabinets) are reminders of that time. In 1876 Baltrum became a sea side resort, the number of visitors however will have been then. Things changed before the turn of the century; it was then that the first 64 registered "resort guests" came. They went out sailing with the skipper on the sea and engaged in the hunt of seagulls, tumblers and seals. They played, croquet, "boccia" (ball game) and lawn tennis and drank "Ostfriesentee" (East Friesian tea), that had been prepared with boiled rain water, in the light of the paraffin lamp. In 1925 the town council decides to supply Baltrum with electricity. In 1935 Baltrum gets central water supply. The number of guests has increased up to 4408. After World War II the number of visitors increases in great leaps.
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