The House of Gustaw Korth


The house was built at the market place in 1903. The host had run an inn there. The citizens of Darkemen had called it „the village dog with a hoe”. For unknown reasons the house and inn were left host-less. Before World War I it was given to Gustaw Kort. Kort had run delicatessen and later – a grocery there. The sign, in large letters, stood from others visible at the market place. Kort was known as the cattle dealer, the owner of the hotel and the conductor of a band playing during the town’s events.
During World War I the house had not been destroyed – it was one of the three intact buildings at the market place. During the post-war period there was a huge courtyard adjoining the building at the place destined for the building of villas. The house was of great importance then. Peasants, arriving for fairs, were trying to make it to Kort. His place was considered the best for leaving horses (it was possible in many houses, but the Kort’s service was the best). The traders may have a break there, water and feed the horses and, at the end of a day – have a rest in the hotel, have a dinner, drink something and talk with the owner about cattle trade.
After World War II and now the ground floor of the building have been used as a shop. At first and second floor there have been seats of various organisations, now a Complex Centre of Social Services is situated there.