Elm, Switzerland
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| Elm | ||||||||||
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| Population | 741 (December 2003) | |||||||||
| - Density | 8 /km² (21 /sq.mi.) | |||||||||
| Area | 90.73 km² (35 sq mi) | |||||||||
| Elevation | 977 m (3,205 ft) | |||||||||
| Postal code | 8767 | |||||||||
| SFOS number | 1605 | |||||||||
| Localities | Müsli, Obmoos, Schwändi, Steinibach, Sulzbach, Töniberg, Untertal, Vogelsang, Wald | |||||||||
| Surrounded by | Andiast (GR), Betschwanden, Flims (GR), Laax (GR), Linthal, Luchsingen, Matt, Mels (SG), Pfäfers (SG), Pigniu (GR), Ruschein (GR), Schwanden, Siat (GR) | |||||||||
| Website | www.elm.ch/gemeinde | |||||||||
  Elm
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Elm is a municipality in the canton of Glarus in Switzerland.
It is the municipality furthest south in the valley of the Sernf, lying at the entrance to Panix Pass, which crosses the Alps into the canton of Graubünden. It includes the following hamlets:
- Müsli
- Obmoos
- Schwändi
- Steinibach
- Sulzbach
- Töniberg
- Untertal
- Vogelsang
- Wald
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[edit] History
Russian General Alexander Suvarov and his troops stayed the night in Elm before crossing Panix Pass to Pigniu on their retreat into Austria.
On September 11, 1881, an avalanche caused by excessive quarrying of slate killed 114 and buried 83 structures in the municipality.
Starting in 1905, an electric tram connected Elm to Schwanden. In 1969, it was replaced with bus service.
[edit] Population
The population of Elm has held steady since the 18th century, reaching a peak in the middle of the 19th century, as shown in the following table:
| Year | Population |
| 1730 | 516 |
| 1789 | 765 |
| 1850 | 1051 |
| 1900 | 913 |
| 1950 | 867 |
| 1990 | 791 |
[edit] Religion
Elm originally belonged to the parish of Glarus, but in 1273, a new parish was formed in Matt. In 1493, Elm received a papal dispensation to establish a new parish.
On March 22, 1528, the Reformation reached Elm, and the church was stripped of its ornaments. In 1594, the parish was separated from the parish of Matt.
[edit] Economy
The major occupation of Elm has been agriculture, including sheepherding since 1000. In the 18th century, the wool industry (home-based) became an important economic factor. In the 17th century and early 18th century, beef cattle were pastured in the Alps in summer for export to Italy.
The baths at Wichlen were in use since the middle ages and are first mentioned in 1547. They were very popular until they were buried by an avalanche in 1762. Many characteristic wooden structures have survived. In 1898, a new Kurhaus was opened, which flourished until World War I. Today, it is used as a retirement center.
Starting in 1861, slate was quarried from the Tschingelberg for school tablets and styluses.
From 1929 to the present, the only industry in Elm has been the mineral water firm Mineralquellen Elm AG.
[edit] Tourism
The ski resort on the Schabell opened in 1973, and the Pleus was opened for skiing in 1982.
[edit] Culture
In 1981, the Wakker Prize was awarded to Elm for the development and preservation of its architectural heritage.
[edit] References
- Elm in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
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