| The land area of the township totals 1527 acres of which 1396 acres is
agricultural. The township has 134 land owners of which 124 own farmland.
The village of Scefelseim or Scheffelingsheim was founded in the 8th
century by Irish monks who came to convert us. Scefelsheim takes its
name from certain land reserved for the raising of sheep (mutton)
belonging to a Duke or King.
The village of Niederschaeffolsheim was founded at the same time as two
other villages which were dedicated to raising sheep, Mittel and
Oberschaeffol-sheim.
Local history reports that Niederschaeffolsheim was burned in 1391
following a fight between the towns of Mulbach and Fleckenstein. This
disaster happened again during the 30 Years War. After being occupied by
German, French and Swedish troops, Alsace became French after the Treaty
of Westphalia.
In 1815, Niederschaeffosheim was pundered when the troops that defeated
Napoleon passed through. These troops were estimated to number 75,000
men of which part camped on the meadows where we have our waste
water treatment station. These grounds have always been called "Le
Lager".
During the Restoration, our village went through new growth and
development. By 1820, it had 151 houses and 848 inhabitants.
By the end of the First World War (1914-1918) our township listed 39 dead
or missing. The Second World War bought more atrocities. Specifically,
17 civilians were taken from their loving families and 23 youths were
taken by force and never returned. Almost the whole village was affected
by this tragedy.
The ancient town hall, situated at the crossroads of Tilleul street and
business route 139, was razed to the ground at the same time as the
girls school. These two buildings were never rebuilt.
The current town hall, the old boys school, was built in 1790 and
completely renovated in 1992.
The construction of St. Michel Church began in 1780 and continued until
the nave was completed in 1854. The new school is situated on the site
of the rectory orchard.
Niederschaeffolsheim is second most rural township after the region of
Hoerdt. Following the implementation of the division of the township
into lots, 93 individual houses were developed and the number of
inhabitants grows. From a total of 944 citizens in 1954, we now have
grown to 1,300.
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