J. G. Sommer (1847), "Kingdom of Bohemia", vol. 15, pp. 16-19
Translation Copyright 2001 by Urs Geiser - All rights reserved

Estate Ober-Chodau

This dominion is situated in the northeastern part of the district, on the left side of the Eger River where it is completely surrounded by the Elbogen dominion.

Based on official information, in 1684 the estate belonged to the Falkenau dominion. According to Schaller (p. 61), in 1687 it was owned by the noble Ernest Hyserle von Chodau, Lord of Alschowitz.[1] From him (?), Lord Franz Flamm von Plankenheim bought the estate and then combined estate Unter-Chodau in 1699. After his death in 1732 his two daughters, Maria Anna who was married to the noble Braun von Braunsdorf and Anna Barbara, married to Neßlinger von Schelchengraben, inherited his property in such manner that the former received the estate Ober-Chodau and the latter the estate Unter-Chodau. Lady von Braunsdorf left the estate Ober-Chodau after her death in 1763 to her son, Lord Johann Ferdinand Braun von Braunsdorf who is mentioned by Schaller. In 1796 it was bought jointly by Joseph Gareiß, Mathes Kinhackl, Johann Adam Fischer and Johann Achtner. In 1800 it was sold to Johann Adam Nonner who then sold it in 1804 to Franz Anton Sieber. From this it was bought in 1806 by Lord Franz Karl von Zedtwitz who then sold it in 1819 to the royal Russian colonel Anton von Elsenwanger. The latter sold it in 1822 to Mr. Joseph Anton Stark and his wife Josepha born Korb von Weidenheim. Currently it belongs to the noble Friedrich von Neupauer who purchased it on 27 March 1847 (See Landtäfl. Hauptb. part O. vol. 1, no. 61).

The usable areas are according to the Katastral-Zergliederungs-Summarium [official land use summary]:

The entire dominical area belongs to the authorities.

The area of the entire is moderately mountainous. The Spitzberg is the most remarkable high point. The rock types are mostly covered with sediment. West of Ober-Chodau, and also in Stelzengrün and near Pechgrün, granite is exposed, whereas near Stelzengrün and Doglasgrün also sandstone and shale are visible.

Chodau Creek traverses the estate, flowing from the northwest. It is formed by the confluence of Zinich Creek and Lochmühl Creek, and below Ober-Chodau it flows through the Elbogen dominion into the Eger River. Above Pechgrün, Schwarz Creek empties into the village pond of the Elbogen village of Poschetzau and from there into Imligau Creek (also Elbogen dominion). All of these creeks hold trout.

Of the 18 ponds, the Seeteich, Herrenteich, Frauenteich, Mukerteich, Neuhainzelteich, Straßenteich, and Neustarkenteich are near the village of Pechgrün, whereas the Schwarzteich, Weißteich, Dorfteich, Bruckteich, Hofteich, Trichterteich, Rehteich, Hirzateich (?), Schneiderteich, Wiedenteich, Schafteich and a few small ones are between Ober-Chodau, Braunsdorf, Doglasgrün, and Stelzengrün. From these ponds, carp and (in some) pike are extracted. -- The Lettenteich and the Sandteich have been converted into fields and meadows.

The number of inhabitants is 1600, whereof 1 Jewish family. -- The dominant language is German.

Sources of income and food are farming, cattle raising, industry, and bobbin lace work.

In the southern, western, and northeastern part of the estate the soil is of poor quality, but in the north and east it is of sufficient fertility to grow much wheat and barley, whereas elsewhere only rye and oats can be grown. In addition, potatoes and some feed crops are grown. Fruit trees exist only in gardens.

The livestock numbers were on 30 April 1837:

The government operates on its own a dairy farm in Ober-Chodau, as well as a sheep farm.

The forests cover most of the Spitzberg, forming one single tract. They contain spruce and fir, in part also birch and alder. The yield is insignificant and is mostly consumed on the estate.

The amount of game is commensurate with the size and type of the area. Hunted game is mostly sold in Karlsbad.

The government-owned coal mine that used to operate near Ober-Chodau was discontinued in 1824 because of low yields.

Tradesmen are 4 bakers, 3 beer sellers, 2 glassmakers, 1 grist miller, 3 merchants, 4 linen weavers, 3 millers, 1 grinder, 3 blacksmiths, 6 tailors, 5 shoemakers, 1 stone mason (with 4 fellows), 1 furniture maker, 1 wainwright, and 1 Wasenmeister [knacker, disposer of animal carcasses].

The poorhouse was founded by the government in 1829. At the end of 1845 it possessed assets of 391 fl. 10.5 kr. W.W., and the income in the same year was 232 fl. 4.75 kr. W.W. Of the 7 poor people 6 were solely supported by the government.

A Chaussee [paved(?) road] leads through Ober-Chodau from Karlsbad to Heinrichsgrün. -- The nearest post office is in Elbogen.

The villages are:

(1) Ober-Chodau, also Kodau (Chodowa), 1 3/4 hours N of Elbogen and 2 1/4 hours WNW of Karlsbad, along Chodau Creek, village of 38 houses with 314 inhabitants whereof 1 Jewish family, in the parish of Unter-Chodau (Elbogen dominion), has 1 government-owned castle with the quarters of the Amtsverwalter [governor], 1 government-owned dairy farm, 1 government-owned inn, and 1 subject-owned mill. 1/8 hour apart to the west is the government-owned sheep farm. -- According to Schaller, the castle was the original seat of the Lords of Chodau.

(2) Stelzengrün, 1/4 hour NNW of Ober-Chodau, along Zinisch Creek and along Heinrichsgrün Road, village of 29 houses with 177 inhabitants, in the parish of Unter-Chodau, has 1 inn.

(3) Braunsdorf, 1/2 hour NW of Ober-Chodau, along an unnamed creek, dominion village of 53 houses with 333 inhabitants, in the parish of Unter-Chodau; has 1 inn.

(4) Pechgrün, 3/4 hours N of Ober-Chodau, along Schwarz Creek, village of 46 houses with 310 inhabitants, of which 2 houses belong to the Elbogen dominion, in the parish of Unter-Chodau, and has 1 inn; apart are (a) 1/4 hour NW 1 government forestry, and (b) 1/4 hour W 1 subject-owned barley mill.

(5) Doglasgrün, in Schaller: Dunkelsgrün, 1 hour WNW of Ober-Chodau, along Lochmühl Creek, village of 72 houses with 466 inhabitants, of which 17 houses belong to the Elbogen dominion, in the parish of Dotterwies (Elbogen dominion), and has (part of the present estate) 1 community school, 1 inn, and 1 mill; 1/8 hour NE is the Wasenmeisterei.

Furthermore, the following properties belong to the estate:

(6) in Unter-Chodau (Elbogen dominion), 1 house

(7) in Neuhäuser (ditto), 1 house.

Footnote

1. Also, Olschowitz and Oschitz. See the second volume of our work, Bunzl. District, dominion Böhmisch-Aicha, p. 233.