Heuchling in Lauf an der Pegnitz in Nürnberger Land, Bavaria, Germany — Central Europe

Thomas Alva Edison

Photographed by James Hulse, March 3, 2026

1. Thomas Alva Edison Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

German:
Übernachtete vom 17. zum 18. September 1911 in diesem Haus. Auszug aus dem Laufer Wochenblatt vom 19. September 1911.

Das Laufer Wochenblatt war zugleich Amtsblatt des Stadtmagistrats Lauf und des Kgl. Bezirksamts Lauf. Außerdem diente es als amtliches Publikationsorgan des Kgl. Amtsgerichts Lauf und des Kgl. Notariats Lauf, der umliegenden Forstämter sowie vieler gemeindlicher Behörden. Redaktion, Druck und Verlag lagen bei Heinr. Bachmann in Lauf. Ausgabe Nr. 183, Dienstag, 19. September 1911, 31. Jahrgang, Telephon Nr. 35, Telegramm-Adresse „Wochenblatt Lauf“.

Lokale und bayerische Nachrichten.
* Lauf, 19. Sept. Gestern Nachmittag kurz nach 6 Uhr wurde ein 12jähriger Knabe namens Lederer von Heuchling oberhalb Lauf an der Stadtgrenze von einem Automobil überfahren und sofort getötet. Das Automobil befand sich auf einer kontinentalen Tour und kam von Karlsbad. Wie wir hören, trifft den Chauffeur kein Verschulden, denn der Knabe ist beim Ueberqueren der Straße kurz vor dem Auto hingefallen, so daß ein Anhalten oder Seitwärtslenken des sehr schweren und langen Wagens nicht mehr möglich war. Nach dem Unfall wurde das Automobil auf amtliche Veranlassung in den Hof des Gasthofs „zur Krone“ gebracht und der Chauffeur über Nacht in polizeilichen Verwahrsam genommen. Nach den bereits gestern Abend und heute Morgen gepflogenen Untersuchungen ist dann heute Nachm. das Automobil freigegeben und der Chauffeur außer Verfolgung gesetzt worden, da demselben keinerlei Verschulden an dem traurigen Vorfall beigemessen werden kann. Unter den Insassen des Automobils befand sich der berühmteste Mann der

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Jetztzeit, nämlich der amerikanische Erfinder Edison nebst Frau und Kindern und ein Journalist der Londoner „Times“ namens Valentine; ferner folgten in einem weiteren Automobil eine Tochter Edisons aus seiner zweiten Ehe und deren Mann, ein Gendarmeriemajor aus Mühlhausen. Sämtliche Fahrtteilnehmer blieben im Gasthof „zur Krone“, wo sie auch übernachteten. Der Journalist Valentine meldete den gehabten Unfall seinem Blatt in einem längeren Telegramm, worauf er durch den gehabten Schrecken unwohl wurde und den Arzt konsultieren mußte. Edison äußerte sich sehr betrübt über den gehabten Unfall und auch die Damen verließen sofort das Automobil und nahmen sich des Knaben an, der aber nur noch einige Zuckungen tat. Wie wir hören, erhielt die Mutter des verunglückten Knaben von der Familie Edison den Betrag von 400 Mk. überwiesen. Anknüpfend an das traurige Vorkommnis machen wir auf die Bekanntmachung des Magistrats im amtlichen Teil der heutigen Nummer, betr. die Beaufsichtigung der Kinder durch die Eltern, aufmerksam.

English Translation:
Stayed overnight in this house from 17 to 18 September 1911.
Excerpt from the Laufer Wochenblatt of 19 September 1911. The Laufer Wochenblatt served as the official bulletin of the City Magistrate of Lauf and at the same time as the official publication organ of the Royal District Office of Lauf. It was also the official publication for the Royal District Court of Lauf, the Royal Notary of Lauf, the surrounding forestry offices, and many municipal authorities. The newspaper was edited, printed, and published by Heinr. Bachmann in Lauf. Issue No. 183, Tuesday, 19 September 1911, 31st year

Photographed by James Hulse, March 3, 2026

2. Thomas Alva Edison Marker

of publication, telephone number 35, telegram address “Wochenblatt Lauf.”

Local and Bavarian News.
Lauf, 19 Sept. Yesterday afternoon shortly after 6 o’clock, a twelve-year-old boy named Lederer from Heuchling, near the city limits above Lauf, was run over by an automobile and killed instantly. The automobile was on a continental tour and had come from Karlsbad. As we hear, the chauffeur bore no fault, because the boy fell while crossing the street directly in front of the car, making it impossible for the very heavy and long vehicle to stop or swerve aside in time. After the accident the automobile was taken, by official order, into the courtyard of the inn “Zur Krone,” and the chauffeur was taken into police custody overnight. Following investigations conducted yesterday evening and this morning, the automobile was released this afternoon and the chauffeur cleared of prosecution, as no blame could be attributed to him in the tragic incident.

Among the occupants of the automobile was the most famous man of the time: the American inventor Edison, together with his wife and children, and a journalist from the London Times named Walentine. In another automobile following behind were a daughter of Edison from his second marriage and her husband, a gendarmerie major from Mühlhausen. All the travelers stayed at the inn “Zur Krone,” where they also spent the night. The journalist Walentine reported the accident to his newspaper in a lengthy telegram; however, the shock made him feel unwell and he had to consult a doctor. Edison expressed great sorrow over the accident, and the women immediately left the automobile and tried

Photographed by James Hulse, March 3, 2026

3. Thomas Alva Edison Marker

The view of the marker and inn from across the street. The marker is located on the right corner of the middle building.

to assist the boy, who by then showed only a few final movements. As we hear, the mother of the deceased boy received 400 marks from the Edison family. In connection with this sad event, we draw attention to the notice of the city magistrate in the official section of today’s issue concerning the supervision of children by their parents.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1911.

Location. 49° 30.724′ N, 11° 16.89′ E. Marker is in Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bayern (Bavaria), in Nürnberger Land. It is in Heuchling. It is on Marktplatz just east of Falknerstraße, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Marktpl 17, Lauf an der Pegnitz BY 91207, 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 Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Altes Rathaus / Old Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Jan Hus (within shouting distance of this marker); Ehemaliges Kommunbrauhaus / Former Communal Brewhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Prof. Dr. jur. Hermann Roesler (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Hersbrucker Tor / Hersbruck Gate (about 90 meters away); Glockengießerspital mit St. Leonhardskirche / Glockengießer Hospital with St. Leonhard’s Church (about 120 meters away); Ehemalige Pfarr- und Spitalkirche St. Leonhard

Thomas Edison image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - Louis Bachrach - Wikipedia Commons, circa 1922

4. Thomas Edison

/ Former Parish and Hospital Church of St. Leonhard (about 120 meters away); Kindergarten Alter Schulhof / Kindergarten Old Schoolyard (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lauf an der Pegnitz.

Also see . . . Thomas Edison. Wikipedia

Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions, which include the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and early versions of the electric light bulb, have had a widespread impact on the modern industrialized world. He was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of organized science and teamwork to the process of invention, working with many researchers and employees. He established the first industrial research laboratory.

(Submitted on March 26, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.