Transcript: #8 Village center and social life

Jeanne Devos

The village fountain symbolizes the former village center. The postillion, created by the well-known St. Gallen artist Max Oertli, is a reminder of the stagecoach that connected Rehetobel with St. Gallen from 1871 to 1920. Until 1990 the post bus stop and the post office in the house with the two doors on a slightly elevated plinth were located on this spot. Did you recognize the difference between the other buildings? The basement was raised in 1903 in the style of the Neo-Renaissance to accommodate the post office. Together with the restaurant «Zur Post», the former wine shop «Lutz» in the house on the left and the two other residential houses this typical row of buildings forms the original village center, the «Postplatz». If you are lucky with the weather, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Alpstein mountains from here. In the first village fire of 1796, the houses in front of which you are standing were destroyed and rebuilt in a similar style as bourgeois houses. The building on the far left opposite the church was originally a barn attached to the house «Zur Hoffnung» next door. It was converted into the present building around 1820. A weaving mill operated in it until 1894. House No. 3 with its little arched roofs above the window bands served as a restaurant and bakery «Zum Hirschen». The house to the right of the former post office was built as a farmhouse with a weaving cellar and attached stable. The land to the east of it belonged to the farm. In 1865 land had to be ceded for the construction of the new main road to Kaien. This reduced the size of the farm. When weaving was abandoned in 1881 the post and telegraph office was established on the ground floor. From 1919 the restaurant «Zur Post» is documented. The still existing horse stable was used for tired stagecoach horses.

The textile industry also led to a diverse population. People met in the inns for dancing or on the sports field for festivities. Especially the Italian workers, who had found their way to Rehetobel thanks to the embroidery boom, influenced social life in the village. Vittorio Paganini, who came from the area of Varese, worked for many years at the Volkart weaving company in the production of punched cards. Even today he remembers his first arrival in Rehetobel:

«I took the train to St. Gallen where Mrs. Volkart was waiting for me. On the way to Rehetobel, at the ‘Schaugenhof’, she pointed to a church tower that could be seen from afar. There was Rehetobel. When we arrived in the village, she told me: You have to learn to say, ‘thank you, ‘please’, and ‘grüezi’ (Hello). Grüezi, that's very important in Rehetobel! Until now I never forgot to say grüezi.»

From the very beginning Vittorio Paganini was fascinated by the special charisma of the village. Like many of his compatriots he soon felt at home in Rehetobel.

«At first I learned German at the Migros Klubschule in St. Gallen. I always thought that I should understand what people are saying and be able to answer their questions. That's why I joined to the gymnastics club and the fire brigade right away. I didn't have to force myself, I just liked it. Until today I never regretted it. I wanted to take part in village life and thought it was important for my integration. Not everyone was able to integrate, some of them had different plans. I never was homesick and felt that I wanted to stay here. I raised a family and just like being here. In 1972 I got the citizenship of Rehetobel.»

The inhabitants of Rehetobl appreciated the impulses from abroad. For the weaver Walter Volkart and his wife Dora, the Italian employees were a benefit for the business and the public:

«They were very, very kind and willing to work. In addition, their cheerfulness was simply good for the rather stiff and reserved way of life. They felt at home and had integrated well.»

We now head towards the church, cross the main road and walk down the street there. At the end of the playground in the vicarage garden, walk two houses further to house no. 16.