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Z±bkowice is one of the largest districts of D±browa Górnicza. It is located in the north-western part of the town, and is separated from the centre by forests and three artificial lakes
Z±bkowice Będzińskie, whose name appeared for the first time in the 15th century documents concerning the erection of the parish church in Sławków, was a part of będziński region. It was not a large village at that time and in fact resembled more a settlement (only a few farmers lived there and not all of them had land to cultivate). However, since the very beginning, Z±bkowice has always been connected with industry. In the documents of Mining Office in Sławków, there are recordings stating that galvanised ore was mined in Z±bkowice already in the 15th century. It is said that the name Z±bkowice comes from the name of one of the mine owners Z±k. In 1559 the first zinc foundry was built in Z±bkowice.
However the greatest boom in industry started altogether with the construction of railroad connecting Warsaw with Vienna. The first train arrived in Z±bkowice on 6th December 1847, and in 1856 the building of the train station was finished. It resulted in rapid occurrence of new industries at the end of 19th century. In 1884 the first glassworks was built. Letter it was transformed several times. The first school was founded in 1891, and one of the first teachers was Stanisław Łaniewski.
In the years 1962-77, Z±bkowice became a town itself. Our school was built in these times, altogether with the Palace of Culture and the stadium belonging to our local football club Unia Z±bkowice. Finally, in 1977 local authorities decided to join Z±bkowice to bigger D±browa Górnicza, and gave it the status of a district. One of the most important events in the recent history of Z±bkowice was the building of the biggest in our region steelworks "Huta Katowice". It influenced and changed not only local landscape but also the population of Z±bkowice. Many people who came to D±browa Górnicza to work in "Huta Katowice" found their new homes in our district.
Translated by
Piotr Badoń
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