Kemerovo history

The history of Kemerovo is a tale of how several small settlements, emerging on the banks of the Tom River, transformed into a major industrial centre of Siberia thanks to the discovery of vast reserves of "combustible stone".

Foundation and First Mentions

The city grew from several ancient Russian settlements. The first mentions of them date back to the early 18th century:

• Shcheglova Village: The earliest settlement on the territory of the modern city, marked on Semyon Remezov's "Drawing of the Land of Tomsk City" in 1701.
• Kemerovo Village: Known since 1734 and presumably named after the surname of its first settlers.
• Unification into a City: The city was officially formed in 1918 through the merger of Shcheglovo village and several neighbouring hamlets, receiving the name Shcheglovsk. In 1932, the city was renamed Kemerovo, after the Kemerovo Mine which became the centre of its development.

Key Factors of Formation

The city owes its birth and growth to several decisive factors:

• Discovery of Coal: In 1721, prospector Mikhailo Volkov discovered outcrops of coal on the banks of the Tom River, in the area of "Burnt Mountain". This discovery marked the beginning of the development of the Kuznetsk Coal Basin (Kuzbass), one of the largest in the world.
• Industrial Development: Despite the early discovery, active coal mining began only in the early 20th century with the founding of the Kemerovo Mine in 1907.
• Transport Development: A key role was played by the construction of a railway line, which connected the mine to the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1916, opening the way for coal export.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Kemerovo formed as an industrial centre. Its economy was entirely focused on coal mining and related industries, such as the coke-chemical plant. A unique page in the city's history was the creation in 1921 of the Autonomous Industrial Colony "Kuzbass" (AIC), where hundreds of foreign specialists and workers from Europe and the USA arrived to develop the industry. This international project had a significant influence on the early development and architectural appearance of the city.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Kemerovo is a journey from small settlements to a major industrial centre of Siberia. Here are the main milestones of this path:

• 1701 — First documentary mention of Shcheglova village on Semyon Remezov's "Drawing of the Land of Tomsk City".
• 1721 — Prospector Mikhailo Volkov discovered a coal deposit on the banks of the Tom, initiating the history of Kuzbass.
• 1734 — Kemerovo village is mentioned in documents for the first time, from which the city later received its name.
• 1907 — Industrial coal mining begins with the founding of the Kemerovo Mine by the joint-stock company "Kopikuz".
• May 9, 1918 — Shcheglovo village is officially transformed into the district city of Shcheglovsk, considered the date of the city's foundation.
• 1921 — The Autonomous Industrial Colony "Kuzbass" is created, attracting hundreds of foreign specialists for industrial development.
• March 27, 1932 — The city of Shcheglovsk was renamed Kemerovo after the Kemerovo Mine and the railway station of the same name.
• January 26, 1943 — Kemerovo received the status of the administrative centre of the newly formed Kemerovo Oblast.
• 1952 — Construction of the Communal Bridge across the Tom River was completed, connecting the left-bank and right-bank parts of the city.
• 1974 — Kemerovo State University (KemGU) was founded, becoming the leading scientific and educational centre of the region.
• 1979 — The Shalgotaryan microdistrict was founded in the city, built within the framework of cooperation with the Hungarian twin city of Salgótarján.
• 1991 — The "Krasnaya Gorka" Museum-Reserve opened on the territory of the first mine, dedicated to the industrial history of the city.

The history of Kemerovo is a path from scattered settlements to a major industrial centre of Russia. Each stage of development left a noticeable mark on the appearance and economy of the city.

Main Development Milestones of Kemerovo

• 1721 — Discovery of the "Combustible Stone"
  Prospector Mikhailo Volkov discovered coal outcrops on the banks of the Tom River. This discovery predetermined the future of the region as the country's largest coal basin — Kuzbass, and for Kemerovo, it became the starting point of industrial development.
• 1907 — Beginning of Industrial Mining
  Almost two centuries after Volkov's discovery, the Kemerovo Mine was founded, marking the beginning of systematic coal extraction. This step transformed the territory from agrarian to industrial and attracted the first workers here.
• 1918 — Formation of the City
  Several settlements, including Shcheglovo village and Kemerovo village, were united into the city of Shcheglovsk. This was an important administrative decision that secured city status for the growing industrial hub.
• 1921 — Creation of AIC "Kuzbass"
  The Autonomous Industrial Colony "Kuzbass" attracted hundreds of foreign specialists to modernize the coal and chemical industries. This unique international project facilitated the introduction of advanced technologies and significantly accelerated the city's industrialization.
• 1932 — Renaming to Kemerovo
  The city of Shcheglovsk was renamed Kemerovo after the mine, which was the economic core of the territory. This symbolized the final establishment of the city as the mining capital.
• 1943 — Regional Centre Status
  Kemerovo became the administrative centre of the newly formed Kemerovo Oblast. This increased its political and cultural significance and stimulated the development of infrastructure, science, and education.
• 1960–1980s — Economic Diversification
  During this period, not only the coal industry but also the chemical industry developed actively. Giants such as "Azot" and "Khimprom" were built, making the city's economy more multi-profile and stable.
• 1970–1980s — Large-scale Urban Planning
  The city was actively built up with new residential microdistricts, such as Shalgotaryan, featuring modern planning and infrastructure. This stage formed the modern architectural appearance of many districts in Kemerovo.

The architectural appearance of Kemerovo is a visual history of a young industrial city, where each stage of development left its mark on the buildings. Unlike ancient cities, there is no Gothic or Baroque here, but key styles of the 20th century are vividly represented, reflecting the turbulent history of the development of Kuzbass.

Early 20th Century and Constructivism (1920s – early 1930s)

The first stone buildings in the city appeared during the era of industrialization and reflected the spirit of their time — Constructivism. This avant-garde style valued functionality, strict geometric forms, and a rejection of decorative excesses. A unique contribution to the city's architecture was made by the Autonomous Industrial Colony "Kuzbass", for which foreign specialists were invited. The brightest example of this period is the buildings by Dutch architect Johannes van Loghem on Krasnaya Gorka, including the famous school, which is listed in the registry of architectural monuments not only in Russia but also in the Netherlands. Other significant Constructivist objects include the Palace of Labour (1927) and the former hotel of the Pritomsky section.

Stalinist Empire Style (mid-1930s – mid-1950s)

After Kemerovo became the regional capital, the formation of its monumental centre began. The leading style of this era was Stalinist Neoclassicism, or "Stalinist Empire". Its goal was to create majestic and ceremonial ensembles symbolizing the power of the state. This style is characterized by symmetry, the use of columns, arches, stucco moulding, and bas-reliefs. The main construction in this style was carried out on the central streets — Sovetsky Prospect, Vesennya Street, and Ostrovsky Street. Key buildings of this era:

• The Ensemble of Soviets Square, forming the administrative heart of the city.
• The Main Post Office Building with a recognizable corner tower, which was preserved despite the campaign against "architectural excesses".
• The Drama Theatre and residential houses, creating a unified ensemble of Theatre Square.

Soviet Modernism and Standard Housing (late 1950s – 1980s)

From the mid-1950s, architecture took a course towards functionality and mass production. "Stalinist Empire" was replaced by Soviet Modernism. The main task was to quickly provide citizens with housing, which led to the appearance of standard microdistricts made of panel houses, known as "Khrushchyovkas" and "Brezhnevkas". Building facades became simpler, decor almost disappeared, but sometimes they were decorated with mosaic panels. An example of the complex development of that time is the Shalgotaryan microdistrict, built in 1979 within the framework of cooperation with a Hungarian twin city.

Contemporary Architecture (from the 1990s to the present)

In the post-Soviet period, the city's architecture became more diverse. New materials (glass, metal) and bold forms appeared. This stage is characterized by the construction of large shopping and entertainment centres, modern residential complexes, and unique sports facilities. Significant buildings of recent times include the "Kuzbass" Ice Palace with its huge wooden arches, the futuristic "Kuzbass-Arena" sports complex, and a new public space — Moskovskaya Square.

Distinguished Personalities Associated with Kemerovo

Throughout its history, Kemerovo has been the birthplace or an important stage in life for many talented people who left a mark on science, art, and the public life of the country.

Mikhailo Volkov

Prospector, Discoverer
Although he did not live in the modern city, his name is inextricably linked with the very birth of Kemerovo. In 1721, Mikhailo Volkov discovered coal outcrops on the banks of the Tom River, in the "Burnt Mountain" area. This discovery marked the beginning of the development of the Kuznetsk Coal Basin (Kuzbass), which was the reason for the city's inception.

Alexei Leonov

USSR Pilot-Cosmonaut, the first human to conduct a spacewalk
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Alexei Arkhipovich was born in the village of Listvyanka in the Kemerovo Oblast and spent part of his childhood in Kemerovo. He is considered one of the most famous natives of Kuzbass. The Kemerovo International Airport bears his name, emphasizing the unbreakable bond between the cosmonaut, the region, and its capital.

Evgeny Grishkovets

Writer, playwright, director, and actor
One of the most recognizable contemporary Russian writers was born and raised in Kemerovo. The city and Siberian identity often become themes of his works and famous solo performances. Grishkovets graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Kemerovo State University and created his first theatre, "Lozha", in the city.

Andrei Panin

Theatre and film actor, director
An Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, he spent his childhood and youth in Kemerovo, which he considered his homeland. Here he graduated from the directing faculty of the Institute of Culture. It was in Kemerovo that his creative path began, which subsequently made him one of the most sought-after and charismatic actors of his generation.

Elena Malysheva

Physician, TV presenter, Doctor of Medical Sciences
Born in Kemerovo into a family of doctors. After graduating from the Kemerovo Medical Institute with honours, she began her career, which led her to central television. Today she is one of the most famous media personalities in the field of medicine and health in Russia.

Alyona Babenko

Theatre and film actress
An Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, Alyona Babenko was born in Kemerovo. Although she built her professional career in Moscow, her Siberian roots and connection to her hometown are often mentioned in interviews. She is a bright representative of Kemerovo residents who have achieved nationwide fame.