Sondernheim in Germersheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany — Central Europe

Hauptstraße

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2026

1. Hauptstraße Marker - Front Side

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Die Hauptstraße hat in großen Teilen weitgehend ihr Aussehen bis heute bewahrt, wie diese Ansicht aus der Zeit vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg zeigt. Als einstmals bedeutende Durchgangsstraße war sie von mehreren Wirtshäusern gesäumt wie z. B. der „Restauration zum Luftschiff“ und dem „Bayerischen Hof“ (beide auf der linken Seite). Am rechten Bildrand ist der ehemals renommierte Gasthof zum „Elefanten“ zu erkennen, durch dessen rundbogiges Eingangstor in der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts regelmäßig die bayerischen Könige einfuhren, wenn sie bei ihren Reisen durch die Pfalz die Stadt Germersheim besuchten und den Festungsbau inspizierten. 1879 wurde der einst weithin bekannte Gasthof verkauft, in dessen Gebäuden bereits im Jahr 1875 das neu geschaffene „Distrikts-Armenhaus“ eröffnet worden war.

In der Zeit vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg war es noch problemlos möglich, in der heute stark befahrenen Hauptstraße als Fußgänger mitten auf der Fahrbahn zu laufen, wie diese Fotografie belegt. Am linken Bildrand zu erkennen sind die Gebäude zweier damaliger Mühlen, die die Wasserkraft der Queich, die in diesem Straßenabschnitt die Straße

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unterquert, für ihren Betrieb nutzten. Rechts im Bild: Das Gebäude der Uniformschneiderei und „Militäreffektenhandlung“ Ferdinand Kahn, ein für eine Garnisonsstadt damals typischer Gewerbebetrieb.

(English Translation)
Main Street has largely retained its appearance in many sections, as shown in this view from before the First World War. Once an important thoroughfare, it was lined with several inns, including the “Airship Restaurant” and the “Bavarian Court,” both on the left. At the right edge of the photograph is the formerly renowned “Elephant” inn. During the mid-19th century, Bavarian kings regularly entered through its rounded gateway when they visited Germersheim while traveling through the Palatinate and inspected the construction of the fortress. The once widely known inn was sold in 1879. The newly established district poorhouse had already opened in its buildings in 1875.

Before the First World War, pedestrians could still easily walk in the middle of what is now the heavily traveled Main Street, as this photograph shows. On the left are the buildings of two former mills that used the waterpower of the Queich, which

Hauptstraße Marker - Back Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2026

2. Hauptstraße Marker - Back Side

passes beneath the street in this section, to operate their machinery. On the right is Ferdinand Kahn’s uniform-tailoring shop and military-equipment business, a type of commercial establishment typical of a garrison town at that time.

Erected by City of Germersheim.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 49° 13.147′ N, 8° 22.427′ E. Marker is in Germersheim, Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate). It is in Sondernheim. It is on Hauptstraße 0.1 kilometers south of Oberamtsstraße, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Hauptstraße 15, Germersheim RP 76726, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the German Upper Rhine.

Globally, 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,

the Holy Roman Empire,

and the former West Germany.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

Hauptstraße Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2026

3. Hauptstraße Marker

The view of the back side of the marker.

this marker: Sophie Ebert (within shouting distance of this marker); Max Ebert (within shouting distance of this marker); Ferdinand Kahn (within shouting distance of this marker); Isabella 'Bella' Kahn (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilhelmina Mohr (within shouting distance of this marker); Otto Mohr (within shouting distance of this marker); Elisabeth Mohr (within shouting distance of this marker); Antonie 'Toni' Mohr (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Germersheim.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.