105-year anniversary

Vorarlberger Hof: much more than just an inn

The Vorarlberger Hof in Dornbirn.

(Bild: SPÖ Vorarlberg)

The Vorarlberger Hof in Dornbirn is celebrating its 105th anniversary. The inn is closely interwoven with social democracy in the region. Although the building will make way for a new building, the old spirit will live on in it.

Although the Vorarlberger Hof closed its doors at the end of last year, the Vorarlberg SPÖ did not miss the opportunity to celebrate its traditional inn in style on Wednesday evening. Even federal party leader Andreas Babler paid his respects to the historic building to celebrate its 105th anniversary.

The celebrity visit gives an idea of the importance of the inn for the Ländle-SPÖ. The "secret command center" of the Red Party has survived two world wars and fierce headwinds from the "conservative superiority" in the Ländle. And even today, the Vorarlberger Hof is still regarded as a "red dot in the Black Sea".

To a certain extent, the Vorarlberger Hof was the first address of social democracy in the country. From 1919 until the 1990s, the building housed - with a few interruptions - the provincial organization of the SPÖ. Until recently, the pensioners' association was located in Viehmarktstraße, and in a few months' time the Dornbirn city party will also be moving into temporary premises - the Vorarlberger Hof is being demolished and rebuilt.

Socialists were often not welcome
The idea for the Vorarlberger Hof arose not least from the harsh political climate in the country. In many bourgeois inns, the Reds were once not welcome. The few Dornbirn innkeepers who allowed social-democratic events were defamed as "Sozi-Wirte" in the "Volks-Blatt", the party newspaper of the Christian-socialist camp. A clubhouse of its own was therefore needed. For this reason, the "Arbeiterheim" association was founded 122 years ago. Its aim was to create a safe home for social democracy in Dornbirn.

The Vorarlberger Hof has an eventful history.

(Bild: SPÖ Vorarlberg)

On March 27, 1919, exactly 105 years ago, the building at Viehmarktstraße 3 was finally acquired from the "Vereinigte Schreiner" cooperative and a clubhouse was opened. In February 1934, however, the building was confiscated and expropriated by the Dollfuß regime. The Vorarlberger Hof was not owned by the association for over 13 years during the corporative state and the Nazi regime. It was not until May 1948 that the members of the association managed to get their "Hof" back. But by no means for free: The building had to be bought from the "owners" for a lot of money.

A place where education was upheld
The Vorarlberger Hof was much more than just a place for eating, drinking and politicking: It was a venue for events, home to youth and women's schools and the starting point for the founding of other associations, including the "Kinderfreunde" and the "Naturfreunde", which still have an important socio-political function today.

However, an excerpt from a report by historian Werner Bundschuh shows how difficult it was for the founders and members of the association: "Young people waving red flags triggered increased defensive reflexes on the part of the bourgeoisie and increased harassment by the authorities. Just how petty they were at 'Kinderfreunde' events is shown, for example, by the ban on a slide show of 'Max and Moritz' in the workers' home." To alleviate the disappointment of the countless children who had flocked to the clubhouse at the time, an afternoon of games was organized without further ado. Even the church allowed itself to be harnessed to the ideological cart at the time and even branded the Kinderfreunde as "unchristian" from the pulpit.

This is what the new Vorarlberger Hof will look like.

(Bild: SPÖ Vorarlberg)

What does the future of the Vorarlberger Hof look like?
The idea of the Vorarlberger Hof will live on in the future - albeit in a new guise: "Our predecessors have renovated, converted and maintained the building to the best of their knowledge and in line with economic possibilities in recent years. We want to continue this tradition and modernize the Vorarlberger Hof and make it fit for the future," explains "Arbeiterheim" association chairman Thomas Niedermair about the new construction plans. "Such a large project presents the association with major challenges. It is particularly important to us to emphasize and preserve the historical significance of the building as a 'red dot in the Black Sea'. This task also includes a traditional restaurant for all Dornbirn residents." Offices and apartments are also to be set up in the new building.

The plans are currently in the approval phase and work could begin as early as the middle of this year. In two to three years, the Vorarlberger Hof should then shine in new splendor - and write many new stories