Barracks (K 4)

The Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 (designation from 1889) arrived at its new garrisons in Westphalia in 1817: Münster, Hamm, Dortmund and Coesfeld. Later, individual squadrons were moved to Paderborn, Neuhaus, Lippstadt, Telgte and Warendorf. From 1871 the bulk of the regiment was assembled in Münster, while the 4th squadron was housed in Hamm and the 5th squadron in Telgte. From 1885 all squadrons were stationed in Münster. However, between 1833 and 1849 the regiment was detached to Silesia, and from 1866 to 1870 to Hanover.

The cavalry was initially housed in various former church and monastery buildings, e.g., in the Rosendaler Barracks. This was a monastery wing rebuilt in 1821, with stables attached to its side wings. The converted Jüdefelder poorhouse opposite the Buddenturm also served to accommodate the cavalry. In the church of the Observant monastery, the insertion of an intermediate ceiling created two usable storeys. A horse stall was set up on the ground floor, while uniforms and equipment were stored on the upper floor. The mounted troops were also quartered in the old prince-bishop’s mint. In the area of the former palace barracks there were two riding arenas and a large stable. The former Gardehotel at Krummer Timpen also served temporarily to house the cavalry. At the Bispinghof there was a large stable. Over time, however, the old converted buildings no longer met the increased — including hygienic — requirements. After the founding of the Reich (1871), efforts were made to comprehensively regulate and modernize troop accommodation. A so-called barracking plan was submitted to the Reichstag in 1877 and subsequently debated controversially. Although it was not formally adopted, this fundamental planning influenced the further barracking of the troops of the Imperial Army. By 1896, 89.7% of Prussian troops were already quartered in barracks; the previously common billeting of soldiers with civilians had by then become a thing of the past.

In Münster as well, the old quarters in the city center were gradually abandoned and modern barracks were established on the city outskirts. Around the turn of the century, a number of large military building complexes were erected on the northern arterial roads (and in the southern district), such as the brick-built cuirassier barracks on Steinfurter Straße in 1898–1901. The barracks consisted of five multi-storey accommodation buildings with display facades along the aforementioned street. In the rear area there were extensive stables and coach houses together with a riding hall, a farrier’s shop, kitchen and canteen buildings, and extensive drill grounds. The regiment moved into the barracks on September 21, 1901. On the opposite side of the street the two inns “Driesen” and “Zum Kronprinzen” were established, and further into town a villa-like officers’ mess was built.