Goat Barn Fire

When the Adelsheim fools open the carnival season in the museum courtyard every year on November 11, they also commemorate the goat shed fire of 1864, which gave them their name. At that time, "Balzele Schreiner," whose real name was Christian Balthasar Götzinger, placed a stove in the shed to protect his goats from the cold. Goats were considered the "cows of the little man" and were essential for survival.

But the fire spread, burning down the barn and killing the animals. From then on, neighboring communities mockingly called the Adelsheimers "goat warmers." In 1927, the fools proudly adopted the name and founded the "Ziegenwärmerzunft Alleze" (Goat Warmers' Guild). Since then, they have been parading through the streets dressed as goats and celebrating their foolish heritage.

The fire in Laketown in September 1865 was of a different caliber. As a result of the summer heat, harvest supplies in the farmers' barns caught fire. The flames quickly spread from roof to roof and 41 buildings fell victim to the fire. Only with the support of neighboring communities in extinguishing the fire was it possible to prevent worse damage.

For the people of Adelsheim, it was clear that they had to be better prepared in the future. In the same year, they founded the Adelsheim Volunteer Fire Department.