Marchtrenk is a very old settlement area. In 1926 they found a rubbish pit with tools and vessels from 2500 b. C. and even the Roman crossed the settlements.
The name Marchtrenk, a combination of the old German words “mahra” (war horse) and “trenk” (water trough), because Romans used to water their horses.
Marchtrenk was first mentioned in 1299 and it was a rest stop for horses. Many different aristocratic families ruled in this region over the time.
In 1834 a horse-drawn railroad between Linz and Gmunden was built to transport salt. After a while people could also ride the train. Marchtrenk was a big rest stop for changing or watering the horses (Prillinger, 2012, p. 1-5).
With outbreak of the First World War the k. and k. army built a detention camp for prisoners of war and it had room for 35.000 prisoners. It was a very big shanty town with its own water supply, electric lights (new in this time) and sewerage. Nowadays the water tower in the camp is a national landmark in Upper Austria, because it´s the last standing, for war built building, in Upper Austria (Prillinger, 2012, p. 1-5).
Eventually Marchtrenk developed into an industrial town because of its location and transport network. In the 19th century first industrial companies settled down. There where mills along the mill stream. After the First World War the advancement to an industrial commune really began. Even today there a lots of old and new companies along the street from Wels to Linz.
In 2000 Marchtrenk got the city title and is getting bigger every year. (Prillinger, 2012, p. 1-5).
Conclusion
Marchtrenk has a great past. From the early settlements and the Roman Road till today it always has been an intersection place for transport and industry. I think because what happened in the past Marchtrenk is now financially good situated and lots of companies using Marchtrenk as a location.
Marchtrenk 