turystyka

F. A. Winkelhausen's liqueur, cognac and wine factory in Stargard, 1922

Until modern times trade, crafts and land were the main source of income of the burgers of Stargard. In the pre-charter period, crafts developed mainly in the settlement surrounding the stronghold (on the island) while the place where trade activities were carried out was the settlement on the left bank of the left fork of the River Ina. Together with its charter, the town was also granted land, the right to navigate sea-going vessels, exemption from the payment of duties in Pomerania and the right to establish guilds. Soon the town became an important craft centre. There were more than thirty independent craftsmen associations and guilds whose representatives were members of the town council. Their structure was a hierarchical one. Only an inhabitant of Stargard born in wedlock could become a master. Marrying a master's widow or a master's daughter promoted the candidate. Apart from privileges (often bestowed by the duke) they also had obligations towards the town, such as defence, extinguishing fires and participation in works to benefit the town. Many organisations entered associations with guilds of towns from a vast region (e.g. with weavers, inter alia, in Königsberg, Toruń and Rostock). A big bell in St. John the Baptist's Church and the church organ in Kamień showcase their craftsmanship. The guilds of bakers, shoemakers, weavers, cloth makers, brewers, tinkers, bell-founders and goldsmiths were the leading ones in Stargard. Since the 14th century guilds of seagoing merchants and traders played an important role. At that time trade was the source of wealth for Stargard, which was a member of the Hanseatic League. Municipal income also came from the duty chamber, mint, taxes, stamp fees and toll as well as profits earned by the chemists, baths, weights, mill and land property. At that time Stargard owned eleven villages in full, four in part as well as forests on the River Ina.
The Thirty Years' War and ravages it brought about resulted in the downturn of the economy of Pomerania. The inhabitants of Stargard earned a living from farming land and production for the local market. The local economy was supported by the fact that Stargard was a capital and the inflow of highly qualified French craftsmen thanks to whom the town developed into a strong weaving centre.
In the 18th century Stargard, which was located at the crossroads of important routes, became a changing station of the courier post. It was also at that time that the first manufactures were established, there were also breweries and soap factories.
Since the mid 19th century, the railway was the major factor that supported the development of the town. The railway junction in Stargard was one of the biggest in the region. Since the turn of the 20th century the rail repair works were second largest in Pomerania. It was also at that time that Stargard became an important industrial centre; many factories were established: agricultural machinery, tar paper, soap, felt, snuff, oil and distilleries famous all over Europe (F. J. Mampe, H. A. Winkelhausen).
After World War II until the 1990s the railway was still the leading industry and employed almost six thousand people. Stargard was then called the town of railwaymen. Moreover, a few thousand people found employment
in developing industry. Transformations which took place at the turn of the century changed the structure of employment and the type of industry. More and more inhabitants started to earn a living in service-related branches of the economy. Two industrial parks developed on the outskirts of Stargard: the High Technology Industrial Park and Stargard Machine Park.