18th Century Farmers from the Jebenhausen Area - please wait while the image is loading ...
In the late 18th century most of Jebenhausen's 400 Christian inhabitants, like this couple in typical costume, are farmers, some are artisans, and almost all are poor. The taxes and dues they owe the Baron are weighing heavily upon them.

Village economy is largely self-reliant. To some Christian villagers the establishment of a Jewish colony, with houses to be built and household necessities to be supplied, means temporary employment and an additional source of income.
 
Harvesting, ca. 1930 - please wait for the image to load ...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
From the early 19th century village life undergoes profound changes. To a considerable extent these changes are due to the economic activities of the Jewish population. 

Jewish peddlers bring goods from the city to the countryside and sell agricultural products to middlemen and customers in the city. Later on many Christians are employed by Jewish textile manufacturers. Hundreds of weavers in Jebenhausen as well as in other villages and even in Goeppingen are on the pay-roll of A. Rosenheim & Cie., A. Gutmann & Co. and other Jewish-owned firms in Jebenhausen. At the same time the industrialization of Goeppingen and neighboring places begins to make itself felt. Around 1900 Jebenhausen is a village of farmers and factory workers.