Fischer’s Steel Works

Johann Conrad Fischer’s steel works in the Mühlental valley.

In 1802 Johann Conrad Fischer purchased an old mill (the so-called Kräutermühle) in the Mühlental valley, where he set up a foundry workshop. This was later the site of the fittings foundry (Werk III). The old mill was completely destroyed by fire in 1835 and was replaced by a new factory and a home for Fischer’s family next door. The plant was enlarged in 1810 when he purchased the so-called Spitalwiese, a meadow where Fischer built a forge (later to be known as GF Werk II). In 1838 he added another hammer mill on the Spitalwiese (later GF Werk I or the Steel Foundry).

By 1851 Fischer’s workshops and plants consisted of the lower plant (facon and spindle steel), the middle plant (file and tool manufacture) and the upper plant (crucible steel smelter).