Fidel Frey and Joseph Augenstein
The "Zur Blume" Inn was an old Rastatt institution; however its inconspicuous name concealed a meeting place for moderate democrats. Innkeepers Fidel Frey and Joseph Augenstein were also among them.
During the revolution, many Rastatt inns were not just places for socializing. Revolutionary ideas were born there and newspapers and pamphlets were available to read. They were protected places to gather and debate openly – free from censorship.
However, the state threw a spanner in the works for the tenants of "Zur Blume". Fidel Frey was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. Joseph Augenstein was charged with high treason after the end of the revolution. Initially, his only option was to flee to France, but he managed to return to his home in Baden as early as 1850.
