Our History
In the Footsteps of Panama-Sonderegger
On a cold, rainy April day in 1938, with Pizol and Falknis shrouded in clouds, a long funeral procession wound its way through the spa town. Bad Ragaz bade a dignified farewell to its honorary citizen, Conrad Sonderegger, known to the locals as Panama-Sonderegger. Leading the procession was the music society playing Frédéric Chopin's funeral march, followed by the flower-adorned casket in a hearse. Behind them were the flags of all local associations, the municipal council, the local administration, the school board, the church leadership, delegations from trade and spa associations, and finally, many grieving townspeople. The bells of both churches tolled as the deceased was honored one last time in front of the Weisses Kreuz Inn. The hearse then drove to Zurich, where the burial took place at the Manegge Cemetery.
Editor Fritz Lendi wrote in the Freien Oberländer: "Conrad Sonderegger has left us forever. However, he will continue to live in the hearts of the people of Ragaz. Many will never forget him and will honor and remember him with gratitude throughout their lives."
Half a century has passed since then, and even the great Panama-Sonderegger has almost been forgotten. His castle, which he built as a grand summer residence, still stands and continues to thrive as the well-run Hotel Schloss Ragaz. Although the flags of the associations that Conrad Sonderegger once donated still flutter in the wind, the memory of his remarkable personality has faded, surviving only among a few old folks. Panama-Sonderegger has become a legend, a rich eccentric who made a fortune building the Panama Canal and spent his summers at his castle in Bad Ragaz. The imagination of the people tried to explain how Sonderegger came by his fabulous wealth, leading to the most adventurous stories:
"In the eighties of the last century, when they were building the Panama Canal and so many workers were bitten by snakes and died, a Ragaz native named Sonderegger was said to have had a hand in it. He was an engineer and salvaged the gold from the dead. When this became known, he had to flee. In a barrel of oil, he brought all his money over and built two villas, one in Zurich and one near the court in Ragaz." (Alois Senti, in: Anecdotes, Stories, and Jokes from the Sarganserland)
Who Was Conrad Sonderegger?
Conrad Sonderegger was born on June 12, 1858, in Heiden, Appenzell, as the son of Conrad Sonderegger and Katharina, née Hohl. He spent his youth in this mountain spa town with a lively group of siblings and attended local schools. For his higher education as an engineer, he studied at the Technical Universities of Munich and Berlin.
Following in the footsteps of great Swiss pioneers abroad, the ambitious engineer traveled to Panama, where he took a leading role in the canal construction. In the early 1880s, a French company embarked on the project initiated by engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had previously built the Suez Canal.
Conrad Sonderegger was one of the leading engineers overseeing thousands of workers. In the fever-ridden, murderous climate, the number of worker casualties was extraordinarily high. The French company ultimately failed due to the immense challenges posed by the Panama Isthmus. The canal was completed by Americans.
After the French withdrew from the canal construction in 1889, Sonderegger returned home and wrote a book in French about his experiences and the results of his work in Panama, titled L'Achèvement du Canal de Panama. Besides the technical details that might interest modern engineers, the book notably describes the climatic adversities that made canal construction hellish.
Conrad Sonderegger returned as a wealthy man. Two years prior, in 1887, he had married Maria Agrippina Zuluaga from the affluent family of Juan de Dios from Ypijapa, Ecuador. Sonderegger also had a successful hand in managing his wealth and declared a fortune in the millions upon his return home.
The Sonderegger-Zuluaga couple had four children. The older son, Conrad, an engineer by profession, died after a long illness at the age of 48, just two years after his mother Agrippina's death. Conrad was born during the family's stay in Paris, while daughter Ina was born in Heiden. Ina later married the renowned Swiss physicist Paul Scherrer. Mercedes, the youngest child, died at the young age of 20. The younger son, Fritz Bertrand, also an engineer, lived and worked for many years in Ticino.
A Prolific Returnee
Upon returning to Heiden, the enterprising Sonderegger immediately engaged in various activities. By 1890, he was elected to the Appenzell Outer Rhodes Cantonal Council. As a skilled engineer, he made notable contributions, particularly to the national construction and road commission. His interest in agricultural matters was demonstrated by establishing a model farm on the property Zur Tanne near Wald, designed according to the American farm system, including a U-shaped barn still known today as the Panama Barn.
After a few years, Sonderegger sold the property. The Appenzellerland became too cramped for him, and he moved to Zurich, much to the chagrin of his Heiden fellow citizens, where he focused on physical studies and research. Conrad Sonderegger was a well-known figure in technical and financial circles of his time, with natural authority and extensive knowledge.
Summers in Bad Ragaz
Conrad Sonderegger likely discovered Bad Ragaz during a vacation or spa visit and appreciated its tranquility and beauty. Around 1890, he bought a shady property outside the village and built a castle as a grand summer residence. The Sonderegger family spent winters in Zurich and summers in Bad Ragaz. However, as the old gentleman’s health declined with age, the Sondereggers began spending the entire year in the spa town.
Conrad Sonderegger was well-regarded and highly respected in Ragaz. He took an interest in village affairs and offered his knowledge and experience to the public. He was known for his generosity, contributing significantly to local taxes and supporting charitable organizations. His name was often at the top of donation lists, and he was known to open the castle doors to those in need. Thus, he was awarded honorary citizenship in recognition of his philanthropic work in Bad Ragaz.
Ragaz Memories
One of Sonderegger’s grandchildren, Ines Scherrer, frequently visited her grandparents in Ragaz during the holidays. Ines, now Dr. Jucker-Scherrer, still dreams of the wonderful times spent in Bad Ragaz: “He was a wonderful grandfather, kind, entertaining, and above all, caring. When we played in the park, he would watch us with binoculars from the balcony, and when we traveled or walked, he explained everything with tremendous patience. Grandfather always thought I was too fat. Nevertheless, when we went shopping in Chur, we always ended up in the best pastry shop. That’s how consistent good grandfathers are!”
Current Status
Ownership
The hotel was sold by the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) to the Kasper Immobilien Group at the end of 2019 after over 60 years of ownership. On January 1, 2020, Hotel Schloss Ragaz GmbH was founded and was converted to Hotel Schloss Ragaz AG as of January 1, 2021. One of the co-owners of the hotel is Patrick Zettel (Director).