Bielefeld

Bielefeld, a busy town in the Prussian province of Westphalia, picturesque situated on the little Lutter, at the foot of the Teutoburger-Wald, 28 miles SW. of Minden. The old walls which withstood the last siege in 1673, have been converted into promenades. Bielefeld is the centre of the Westphalian linen-trade, its yearly output having a value of about £50,000. It has extensive bleaching-grounds, manufactures of woollen thread, soap, leather, and its meerschaum pipes are celebrated. Pop. (1871) 24,521; (1890) 39,350.