Debre Zeit is a geographically blessed place. I would invite you to view a YouTube video below to get a sense of the geography of Debre Zeit.
In real estate location is what adds value. Debre Zeit is a a prime location about 45 kilometer east of Ethiopia’s Capital city Addis Ababa. According to historians, the place was known as Bishoftu up until 1955. Debre Zeit has resorted back to Bishoftu in the early 1990s. However, we will continue to use Debre Zeit in this website to emphasis the magic that happened between 1955 and 1991 when Dr. Tebabu Tessema Wubetu and his cohorts lived and went to school up until 1970.
Besides its strategic location, Debre Zeit is well known for its many creator lakes and as a resort in addition to being known as air force and air born town. The many creator lakes and the proximity to big citiy and big towns makes Debre Zeit the place to be.
Debre Zeit: What a Glories History
Debre Zeit evolved over a long period of time. As pointed out, accounts of earlier travelers call the region “Adda”, although one Swedish memoir from 1935 mentions a village named “Bishoftu” . However, “as a definite entity, Debre Zeit did not come into existence until after the Second World War” (source: Debre Zeyit – History (liquisearch.com).
During the Italian brief occupation of Ethiopia, historical records show that “at about 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) from Adda, on land that had been owned partly by Emperor Haile Selassie I, the Italians started Azienda Agraria di Biscioftu dell’Opera Nazionale per i Combattenti (Agricultural company of Bishotu of the National Opera for Fighters) on 15,000 hectares. The intention was “to create a center of colonization as well as an experimental agricultural station.” Hence, “the first foundation stone for the houses was laid on December 9, 1937”. However, “only 21 dwellings were ready by May 1938”. Various administrative and service buildings were also built.
Eventually after the Italians were driven out, the history of Debre Zeit /Bishoftu became tightly woven with the history of the Ethiopian air force and other important establishments.
Historical documents show that ‘in 1946, the beginnings of what would become the Ethiopian Air Force was moved from the Bole airport in Addis Ababa, which was needed by Ethiopian Airlines, to Bishoftu.”
As documented, the move included an initial group of 19 Swedes under Count Carl Gustaf von Rosen, who were there to train the pilots and support personal. They arrived in Debre Zeit after leaving Sweden between 9 January and 16 July 1946. In addition to the Airforce, there has been at least a battalion of Ethiopian Airborne soldiers in Debre Zeit.
Besides the Airforce and Airborne, other significant and influential developments took place that molded Debre Zeit and made it a magical place for the cohorts of the 1970. The first is the establishment of Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center in 1953 under the then Alemaya Agricultural College, now Harmaya University.
The establishment of the Agricultural Research Center was shortly followed by the founding of An Evangelical College. The Evangelical college attracted students from across the country making Debre Zeit mingling and tolerant place.
Finally, the establishment of the Animal Health Assistants Training School in 1963, with financial support by the United Nations Special Fund was a very welcome addition.
Besides the Airforce and key educational establishments, Debre Zeit was also the favored weekend retreat of Emperor Haile Selassie, who built a palace in the town, named “Fairfield” after his wartime home in exile in the town of Bath, England. This also enhanced the image and preference for Debre Zeit and contributed to its attraction as a resort destination.