Some places have their history in their name. Karlsdorf, for example: the village owes its existence to a prince who simply didn't feel like having his workers travel from far away every day. Karl von Auersperg, owner of the manorial mill and other surrounding estates, settled his people here without further ado - and named the new village after himself. Between 1744 and 1794, the mill moved with them, moving from Pfaffendorf to Karlsdorf, and still stands today.
Between 1953 and 1966, head teacher Josef Pellar meticulously researched how far back the mill's history actually goes: he was able to trace the list of owners of the manorial mill back to 1357 - a complete chronicle spanning more than six centuries. Originally built by noble landowners so that their own grain did not have to be carted to the nearest mill, the house changed hands many times over the years.
1954 - a new chapter: Karl Engelhart buys the manorial mill. From then on, mainly rye was milled here for wages and other grain was ground into animal feed. Farmers come from all over the region to use these services, and a local bakery is regularly supplied with rye flour.
Then the state grain policy makes life difficult for the small business: the support for bread grain milling makes it simply impossible for a mill of this size to keep up in terms of price. The Engelharts reacted pragmatically - and turned the mill into a warehouse for grain, seeds, fertilizer, building materials and drinks. Nevertheless, the Schrotstein continued to run for years - until the retirement of the last miller, Walter Engelhart.
In 2021, the family took decisive action against the creeping decay of the old walls: Three rooms of the original mill building were renovated and reopened as a mill store. What is offered there today literally grows in the surrounding area: fresh fruit and vegetables, processed into jams, compotes and juices. The old manorial mill, once the supply center of an entire region, is once again providing supplies - just a little differently than before.