Osterholz-Scharmbeck (Northern Low Saxon: Oosterholt-Scharmbeek) is a town and the capital of the district of Osterholz, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Osterholz-Scharmbeck is situated between the cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven.

Geography

Neighbouring places

Division of the town

Official parts

Historical parts

History

The town was first mentioned in 1043 as Scirnbeci. From 1180, the Scharmbeck belonged to the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen. The monastery in Osterholz was founded in 1182 and persisted until 1650, when Lower Saxony became mostly Protestant. In 1648 the Prince-Archbishopric was transformed into the Duchy of Bremen, which was first ruled in personal union by the Swedish and from 1715 on by the Hanoverian Crown. In 1823 the Duchy was abolished and its territory became part of the Stade Region in the Kingdom of Hanover. In 1927, the two communities of Osterholz and Scharmbeck were merged under the name of Osterholz-Scharmbeck and in 1929 town privileges were granted. Between 1978 and 1992, 4,200 soldiers of the U.S. Army's 2nd Armored Division (Forward) were stationed, and another 4,000 family members resided in Osterholz-Scharmbeck.

Population Growth

Mayor

The mayor is Torsten Rohde (independent). He was elected in May 2014 with 59.02 % of the votes. The predecessor was Martin Wagener (SPD).

Notable people

Books