These images are from the 1910 and 1911 editions of the publication Volksfreund Kalender für das Jahr 1911. The map of the Volga region is from 1910, and the colonies are from 1911. It’s always interesting to see historic photos of structures in the colonies. The colonies included are Balzer, Bangert, Bauer, Grimm, Krasnoyar, Kukkus, Messer, Neu-Norka, Stahl-am-Tarlyk and Yagodnaya Polyana. You can view/share/download all of the images here.
1910 Map of the Volga Colonies
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| This was an insert in the back of the 1910 edition of the Volksfreund Kalender. Source: Wolgadeutsche |
Yagodnaya Polyana
Jagodnaja Poljana was founded on 16 September 1767, one of the last Volga Mother colonies established.
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| Jagodnaja Poljana. The church. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 170 |
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| Jagodnaja Poljana. Church and district school. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 170 |
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| Jagodnaja Poljana. Community school and fire station. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 160 |
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| agodnaja Poljana. Potash and syrup factory. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 161 |
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| Jagodnaja Poljana. On the rye field. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 163 |
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| Jagodnaja Poljana. The source. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 162 |
Stahl-am-Tarlyk
Stahl-am-Tarlyk was founded on 13 August 1767.
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Stepnaja (Stahl). The church. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 175
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| Stepnaja (Stahl). The mountainside is visible in the distance. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 175 |
Neu-Norka
Neu-Norka was founded in 1852. Colonists were living there as early as 1847. It no longer exists.
| Neu-Norka. School and prayer house. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 178 |
Messer
Messer was founded on 7 July 1766.
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Ust-Solicha (Messer). The church. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 164
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| Ust-Solicha (Messer). The pastorate. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 165 |
Kukkus
Kukkus was founded on 26 June 1767.
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| Wolskaja (Kukkus). Overall view. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 174 |
Krasnoyar
Krasnoyar was founded on 20 July 1767.
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Krasnojar. Partial view. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 179
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Krasnojar. Colonial office: head, 2 assistants, clerk, his assistant, daywatchman.
1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 177 |
Grimm
Grimm was founded on 1 July 1767.
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| Lesnoi Karamysch (Grimm). Church and prayer house. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 157 |
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| Lesnoi Karamysch (Grimm). The district school. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 158 |
Bauer
Bauer was founded on 20 July 1766.
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Karamyschewka (Bauer). Street with church and bell tower. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 172
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| Karamyschewka (Bauer). Wedding procession after the ceremony. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 173 |
Bangert
Bangert was founded on 1 July 1767.
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Saumorje (Bangert). The church and part of the district school. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 171
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Balzer
Balzer was founded on 28 August 1765.
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Goloi Karamysch (Balzer). Right: church and pastorate. Left: community school and prayer house.
1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 157
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| Goloi Karamysch (Balzer). Iron foundry. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 169 |
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| Goloi Karamysch (Balzer). The progymnasium. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 167 |
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| Goloi Karamysch (Balzer). The source. 1911 Volksfreund Kalender, p. 168 |
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Last updated 25 May 2025
