Old scool
After the separation from the school district of Pier, independent schooling began in Schophoven on 1 August 1836 with 90 school-age children. The first teacher position was filled by Mr Werner Breuer from Kofferen, who had previously worked as a sub-teacher in Pier.
With the construction of a school building in 1872 (today Kalkweg 6), an educational institution was created that would shape several generations of children from Schophoven and Viehöven.
At times, the school accommodated 120 children. Due to the large number of pupils, a second class was even set up in the ‘Peter Kraus’ tavern near the church. The construction of a second school building in 1883 (today Kalkweg 1) solved the space problem. In 1887, Gottfried Steffens from Venrath took over the teaching position, which he held for 34 years. He retired in 1921; a street in Schophoven was named after him.
1955, the school moved into a new building, which is now known as the village community centre. More about this at stop 5 on this circular route.
Special mention should also be made of the teacher Miss Luise Knauff, who worked as a teacher in Schophoven for 42 years, from 1926 to 1968, leaving an indelible mark on the community.
Schlichbach
The transformer tower was built around 1915, when Schophoven was connected to the electricity supply.
The Schlichbach stream, which gave its name to ‘Schlichstraße’, originally flowed along the street that now bears its name.
The sewerage system was installed in 1953. The Schlichbach, which in its neglected state had become a centre of epidemics, was diverted eastwards around the village. Another rerouting took place in the course of the development of the construction area for the Pier resettlement.