Today the areas on its west bank are part of Silesia – where the traces of German culture are still strong, and where the German minority takes an active part in the life of local communities. The history of the emergence of a natural state border, Border watch-towers, Trans-border smuggling during World War II, A place where the two cultures clashed, Active participation of the German minority in the social and cultural life of the present municipalities. Quote: “A significant part of the local population in the inter-war period engaged in smuggling to Poland, particularly from Gorzów ?l?ski to Praszka. From Poland came mainly agricultural products, known for their low prices; from Germany – industrial articles and medications. Goods were smuggled in larger quantities when fire-fighters went across the border to put out fires; fire brigades in Gorzów and in Praszka enjoyed relative freedom of movement on both sides of the border. Those occasions were used to smuggle larger quantities of goods, because fire engines did not have to go through customs”. – Franciszek Hawranek, “MATERIALS FOR A CHRONICLE OF GORZÓW ?L?SKI /UNTIL 1945/”