Plate III - The Hungarian Border as taken from an automobile on the highway between Mogersdorf and Deutsch Minihof, just west of Szent Gotthard. For two miles the road follows the boundary, so the double fences, wire and barb are in Hungary. Just beyond the first fence is a „dirt road“ which was a mine field. (In 1993, the fence and mine fields had been removed between Moschendorf and Pinka Mindszent although an empty guard shack remained. When we in turn viewed Moschendorf from Pinka Mindszent, a military vehicle with two soldiers was parked at the guard shack-probably alerted about the presence of „suspicious characters!“)

Plate IV - Neusiedl am See, from the rim of the Parndorf Heath. Narrow strips of cultivated land border the village. Beyond is a belt of reeds and then Lake Neusiedl.

Plate V - Mörbisch am See. Principal Street. Houses are white washed. Ears of corn hanging from the side of the houses. Two ladies in black with „babushkas“, boots and staffs walking by a sign which reads „PauL LeHner (sic), Schumacher Meister.“ Street appears unpaved. A single branchless tree struggles to survive. In 1993, this same scene included pavements, paved tree lined street, much neater and more prosperous. Well dressed locals and tourists.

Plate VI - Unterwart. An old peasant home with thatched roof. Ancient timbers, white washed walls. Heavy wooden shutters. Street is dirt. No electric or phone wires in evidence. Three decades ago this was a „typical“ home; now it is a picturesque rarity. (Houses now have red-orange tiled roofs, but the shape and internal layout of the newer houses is as of old; you’ll find all „mod cons“, double glazed windows, flower boxes, etc.)

Plate VII - Pamhagen on the edge of the Hansäg. Open space shows village commons (with stream-ditch) between two rows of houses. Geese using a rain puddle. No electric wires in sight. Such ditches in early times were often one source of water, leading to much water borne disease.

MORE OLD PHOTOS
Among the many good things available from the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft newsletter is a feature column called „Erinnerungen“ (memories) which reproduces old photos of Burgenland scenes. Pictures are from collection of Dr. Walter Dujmovits and other Burgenland archival holdings. Look for them on page 15 of most issues.

To be continued