Wahlbach, Rhineland-Palatinate

Geography

Location

The municipality lies in the Hunsrück, with the municipal area spread out over several hills, giving it an average elevation of 433 m above sea level. Wahlbach lies some 4 km west of Rheinböllen and the Autobahn A 61. To the south, it is roughly 2 km to Argenthal and to the west a good 4 km to Simmern. North of Wahlbach lie the municipalities of Benzweiler, Rayerschied and Pleizenhausen. Wahlbach’s municipal area measures 434 ha, of which 172 ha is wooded.

History

Archaeological finds from barrows bear witness to early habitation. In 1158, Wahlbach had its first documentary mention. The village was a noble family’s namesake, although it died out soon after 1258. Later, the village belonged to Electoral Palatinate “New Court” (neues Gericht), which in 1410 was grouped into the new Duchy of Palatinate-Simmern. In 1556, the duchy introduced the Reformation. In 1673, Wahlbach passed back to Electoral Palatinate and with the occupation of the Rhine’s left bank by French Revolutionary troops in 1794, it became part of France. In 1814 it was assigned to the Kingdom of Prussia at the Congress of Vienna. Since 1946, it has been part of the then newly founded state of Rhineland-Palatinate. In 1961, the Evangelical church was built.

Politics

Municipal council

The council is made up of 6 council members, who were elected by majority vote, and the honorary mayor as chairman.

Mayor

Wahlbach’s mayor is Volker Mayer.

The municipality’s arms might in English heraldic language be described thus: I’ll give it a shot if I can find a German blazon. At the moment, I haven’t a clue what that charge is on the sinister side.--

Culture and sightseeing

Buildings

The following are listed buildings or sites in Rhineland-Palatinate’s Directory of Cultural Monuments:

• Dorfstraße – fountain; cast-iron hand pump and basin, Rheinböllen Ironworks, latter half of the 19th century
• Fuchsenmühle, west of Wahlbach – timber-frame house, half-hipped roof, possibly from the 18th century

Economy and infrastructure

The municipal centre at the former school stands on the village’s outskirts. In the village centre is the old fountain, while the belltower stands in the upper village. There, the two Kreisstraßen (District Roads) 50 and 52 cross each other.

References

References

1. [https://www.wahlen.rlp.de/de/kw/wahlen/kd/gebiete/1400000000000.html Direktwahlen 2019, Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis], Landeswahlleiter Rheinland-Pfalz, accessed 4 August 2021.
2. "Zahlen - Daten - Fakten". Ortsgemeinde Wahlbach.
3. "Der Wahlbacher Gemeinderat". Ortsgemeinde Wahlbach.
4. "Herzlich willkommen in Wahlbach !". Ortsgemeinde Wahlbach.
5. [http://denkmallisten.gdke-rlp.de/Rhein-Hunsrueck-Kreis.pdf Directory of Cultural Monuments in Rhein-Hunsrück district]