La Ferrière
Origin of the name La Ferrière
The community appears in 1590 under the name « Hautes Montagnes d'Erguël ». In 1749 it is written « La Ferriere ou Communauté des Montagnes de Saint-Imier ». The present name has not been explained.[1]
Founding of La Ferrière
La Ferrière was born in 1590 when settlers from the lordship of Valangin established themselves on the heights above the Vallon de Saint-Imier. Its charter of liberties was confirmed in 1623 and 1672. The municipality also includes the hamlet of La Basse-Ferrière. Attached for worship first to Saint-Imier, then to Renan, it only had its own parish from 1861. In the 19th century watchmaking raised its population to more than 1'000.[1]
History of La Ferrière
1590. Settlers from the lordship of Valangin found the community, then called « les Hautes Montagnes d'Erguël ».[1]
1623. The community's charter of liberties is confirmed.[1]
Thirty Years' War. The municipality is plundered and set on fire.[1]
1672. The charter is confirmed again.[1]
1749. The municipality is called « La Ferriere ou Communauté des Montagnes de Saint-Imier ».[1]
1767. The Prince-Bishop grants La Ferrière the estate of Erguël castle as a fief.[1][2]
1797. La Ferrière becomes French, in the department of Mont-Terrible, then in that of Haut-Rhin.[1]
1806. The municipality buys the estate of Erguël castle.[1]
1815. La Ferrière joins the canton of Bern.[1][2]
1828. The Erguël estate is sold on to the burgher commune of Sonvilier (to François Finot, of Undervelier, according to another source).[1]
1861. La Ferrière ceases to depend on the parish of Renan.[1]
1864. The parish church is inaugurated.[1]
1870. Driven by watchmaking, the population reaches 1'040.[1]
Population of La Ferrière
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1813 | 654 |
| 1850 | 796 |
| 1870 | 1'040 |
| 1900 | 723 |
| 1950 | 554 |
| 2000 | 513 |
| 2025 | 542 |
Historic sites in La Ferrière
Church. Parish church inaugurated in 1864.[1]
La Basse-Ferrière. Hamlet of the municipality.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ferrière, La » (Anne Beuchat-Bessire), version du 18.01.2005
- Mémoires d'Ici, « Un château en Erguël : histoire et histoires », Les dossiers de Mémoires d'Ici, mai 2007
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Other villages near La Ferrière
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