By the mid-19th century Pirmasens had developed into the most important site of the German shoe industry.

This affected the little village of Hauenstein, which at the time consisted mainly of small farmers and forest workers.

Despite the pressures to combine that arose from the French occupation, economic crises, and the war years, the number of factories had grown by 1960 to 35.

Thereafter, however, progressive automation and the relocation of production to foreign countries led to a serious structural crisis in the German shoe industry, resulting in numerous businesses being closed.

At the conclusion of the circular walk, the shoes of several prominent people, such as Angela Merkel and Joschka Fischer are displayed.