Darmstadt-Mitte , Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
Ehemaliges Kaufhaus Rothschild
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Former Rothschild Department Store
| — | Darmstädter Geschichtsrundgang 1933-1945 | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 30, 2025
1. Ehemaliges Kaufhaus Rothschild / Former Rothschild Department Store Marker
The Nazis began to expropriate and expel the Jews of Darmstadt with the SA's "boycott posts" in front of the then Rothschild department store and other Jewish-owned business premises in March and April 1933. In 1936, the Henschel and Ropertz families bought the already dissolved Rothschild company in agreement with the founding family. They remained on friendly terms with the Rothschild family, who had emigrated to South America. All Jewish companies - such as the Leonhard Tietz AG department store, which was expropriated in July 1933 and simultaneously
this page online
Erected by Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Holocaust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 9, 1933.
Location. 49° 52.36′ N, 8° 39.262′ E. Marker is in Darmstadt, Hessen (Hesse). It is in Darmstadt-Mitte. It is on Marktplatz, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Marktplatz 2, Darmstadt HE 64283, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Weißer Turm / White Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Altes Rathaus / Old City Hall (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Zur Goldene Krone / Schustergasse 18 (about 150 meters away); Christoph Graupner (about 180 meters away); Parkanlage im Schlossgraben / The Park in the Castle Moat (about 180 meters away); Justus von Liebig (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Heinrich Emanuel Merck (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Stadtmauern Gedenkstätte / City Walls Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Darmstadt.
Also see . . .
1. Henschel und Ropertz (Name seit 2013: Henschel) (DFG-VK Darmstadt, in German). Excerpt on the “Aryanization” process (in translation):
But the transfer of power to(Submitted on February 26, 2025.)the National Socialists on January 30, 1933, foreshadowed the worst for Jewish citizens and Jewish businesses. On March 9, just a few days after the transfer of power, SA thugs were standing in front of the Rothschild department store. The same happened on April 1.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 30, 20252. Former Rothschild Department Store Marker - wide view
The Rothschild family therefore considered the danger to be very real. With the help of friends, the contract for the sale of the legally dissolved company "Gebr. Rothschild, Textil- und Modewaren" to Dr. Erich Henschel (May 27, 1901 Halle - August 9, 1970 Farchau) and Hans Ropertz (April 13, 1901 Krefeld - January 23, 1956 Darmstadt) was signed in 1935.
2. Aryanization (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Excerpt from the Holocaust Encyclopedia:
“Aryanization” (in German, Arisierung) refers to the transfer of Jewish-owned property to non-Jews in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. It aimed to transfer Jewish-owned economic enterprises to “Aryan,” that is, non-Jewish ownership.(Submitted on February 26, 2025.)
In early 1933, there were about 100,000 Jewish-owned businesses in Germany. About half of these were small retail stores dealing mostly in clothing or footwear. The rest were factories or workshops of various sizes or professional offices for lawyers, physicians, and other independent professionals.
By 1938, the combination of Nazi terror, propaganda, boycott, and legislation was so effective that some two thirds of these Jewish-owned enterprises were out of business or sold to non-Jews.Jewish owners, often desperate to emigrate or to sell a failing business, accepted a selling price that was only 20 or 30 percent of the actual value of each business.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 30, 20253. Former Rothschild Department Store (now Henschel)
circa 1905
4. Market Square…
with the Rothschild Department Store visible in the center of the picture.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
