History of Scheibler's Power Station:
K. Scheibler's Power Station was built in 1910 by an engineer Alfred Frisch. It is the best in Lodz example of industrial construction from the beginning of the 20th century. Modern, reinforced concrete allowed for giving the object a curious shape and, using big windows, to make the interiors bright - the decor inside is in Secession (Art Nouveau) style. The main Hall is filled with immense turbines produced by a well known German company AEG. Power station was supplying electricity until late 90' (factory and local housing area), and shortly after that was deccomissioned.
Karol Scheibler empire:
In 1855, Scheibler founded a spinning mill with 34 frames and a steam engine of 40 horsepower. In 1857, Scheibler employed 180 labourers and earned a turnover of 305.100 Ruble in 1860. Scheibler made large profits after cotton prices in Europe increased because of the American Civil War and sold his stock at triple the price, he became known as the "King of the Cotton and Linen Empires of ŁÃ³dź". In 1870 1,911 employees worked in his factory, which was the third largest (9.3 percent) cotton producer of Poland.
Scheibler's factory continued to prosper and he bought several smaller mills in the districts of Źarki and Księży Młyn. After a fire destroyed the factory at Księży Młyn in 1874, Scheibler rebuilt it with 88.000 spindles and built his own "Kingdom" of Księży Młyn with houses for 321 families, a fire station, schools, shops and a hospital Scheibler was known for his social engagement and supported the foundation of a municipal credit association, the Commercial Bank of ŁÃ³dź (Bank Handlowy) in 1872 as well as the construction of a Lutheran and a Catholic Church.
In 1880, he transformed his enterprise into a stock corporation with a share capital of 9 million Ruble.
