Obernheim Surprise
I decided to visit Landstuhl and Obernheim, during our Sep 2002 trip to Germany, since learning from "Stader's list of immigrants to the Banat" (provided by Glen Schwartz), that the Hochban's originated from here in the 1700's. I wanted to see this part of Germany in the Pfalz (Palatinate) province now called Rhineland-Pfalz.

The country side is very diverse with a beautiful wine growing region between the Rhine river and Pfalz forest(Pfalzerwald).The spectacular Mosel river valley is further N/W from Landstuhl which is a must see. Near the edge of the main forest lies Landstuhl with Obernheim nestled between high rounded hills. The major attractions around this area are the castles built by Barbarossa with the castle ruin of Nanstein situated on a high hill overlooking Landstuhl.
Futher along a back paved road lies Obernheim with deep red colored earth surounding this town. The population is about 1200 with old farming style dwellings (barn and house tied together)and newer modern homes. Many people are occupied with making stone bricks from this red clay-like earth. This is the same material that the Nanstein castle was constructed with in the 10th century.

The fields and along some slopes are planted with potatoes and grain.
It appears that part of the population uses Obernheim as a bed-room community for Landstuhl while others have retained the old farming methods of the past.

The Surprise:
During a stop, my wife entered into a conversation with a farmer who spoke good English. She had the insight to ask this person if he had ever heard of Hochban families in this region. Lo and behold we were shocked and delighted to learn that a Rosa Hochban lived in this village with her niece. 

In Table Form

- Rosa is 85, in a wheelchair, never married.
- Rosa lived in Obernheim all her life as did her other family members.
- Rosa came from a family of 4-brother and 5-sisters, all dead.
- Rosa does not speak English and refused to have her photo taken.
- Rosa lives in one of the old barn-home dwellings with a sheltered porch.
- Rosa is the last living Hochban in this region

 
We didn't have time to wait for her niece, who worked in a hospital, but showed her our passport from Canada. This complety mystified her as how Hochbans could be in Canada. We also gave her Walter Hochban's business card in Germany and she exclaimed the spelling of Hochban was the same as her name.

This for me was adaquate proof that our family did indeed originate from Obernheim, Landstuhl, Pfalz, Germany and Adam Hochban (1750-1826) was the first Hochban migrant to Austria-Hungary.
Marian Shrine - Maria Bildeich
While talking to the farmer we asked about churches and he provided us with the story about a statue of Mary carved into an oak stump. The carver is unknown but Mary was scooped out of the tree before the reformation. The legend revolves around a shepherd finding the statue and bringing it to the local parish church. However the statue kept returning to the find site each time the statue was moved back to the parish. The find site is located on the highest hill surrounding Obernheim (420m). The villagers decided in 1840 to build a small church around the statue-oak stump which now has become the local shrine "Maria Bildeich". 

Many believers now make a pilgramage to this church on the hill and we decided to view this beautiful setting. Also included on top of this hill is a constant flow of water from a well setting. We all came back with our water bottles full, believing the story or not.