The foundation of this Russian settlement dates back to 1679, although historians claim that Russian settlers settled here much earlier - from 1553. Therefore, today the official history of Kurgan is one hundred years less than it could have.
During this time, the settlement changed its names several times, for example, until 1738 it was called Tsarevo Gorodishche, until 1782 the Kurgan settlement. Today Kurgan has become an important economic, cultural and scientific center. The latter direction is associated with the activities of the world famous center of traumatology and orthopedics.
Kurgan under tsarism
The history of Kurgan even retained the name of the first Russian settler in these lands, Timofey Nevezhin became him. He liked the place on the banks of the Tobol River, especially since the ancient burial mounds located nearby testified that the former inhabitants considered the area suitable for life.
In 1695, the settlement "descended" downstream of the river and acquired a new name, Tsarevo-Kurgan Sloboda. The 18th century put forward new requirements - strengthening of the defensive capability, which contributed to the transformation of the settlement into a fortress. The settlement received the status of a city in 1782 thanks to Empress Catherine II.
At the turn of the century
At the beginning of the 19th century, the city received a new, higher status; it became the administrative center of the Kurgan District. This time is characterized by active construction, the emergence of public buildings and structures that played an important role in the life of the Kurgan. Of particular importance were the following:
- city hospital to provide medical care to the local population;
- the first institution of the educational system;
- a fire station with an observation tower and a team of volunteers.
This is how the history of Kurgan can be briefly described (in the 19th century), but one should not forget about another important mission of the city, albeit with a sad connotation. Given the remoteness from the capital of the empire, the Kurgan was also used by the authorities as a place of exile.
The active development of the city began at the end of the century, accelerated by the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The number of residents increased sharply (four times in ten years), by 1917 there were more than 40 thousand people.
After the establishment of Soviet power, life in Kurgan began to follow new laws. The first years were unstable, there was an active struggle for power. The Stalinist repressions affected the families of many residents of Kurgan. During the war years, many enterprises were evacuated here.
