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Bubendorf  (Lantosfalva, Latorfalva [old Latorfalu])

Village of about 275 residents in the Zöbern valley in the Oberpullendorf district. Currently an Ortsteile of Pilgersdorf along with Deutsch Gerisdorf, Kogl, Lebenbrunn, Salmannsdorf and Steinbach.

The village Bubendorf lies southwest of Pilgersdorf, on the slopes of several hills. First mentioned in 1390 as "Lachofalva", in 1397 "Latorfalu" (a Hungarian name), etc... The "Urbar" of 1672 calls it "Puebendorff".

Bubendorf is said to have suffered during the Turkish siege of Güns (Koszeg) in 1532 and during the Bocskay uprising in 1605. Like all neighbouring villages, the inhabitants became Lutherans, soon after the domain owners (NADASDY) had done so ...

In 1649, the village was rented out to the Styrian lord Friedrich Sigismund SPEIDL. An "Urbar" of 1661 counts 13 farmers and 2 Söllner. The "Urbar" of 1672 reports still 13 farmers and 6 Söllner. Another 2 Söllner houses are deserted.

During the 'kuruc' uprising of 1704-1709, the village has been looted (this applies to the whole area). In 1720, Bubendorf consisted of 24 farms, 10 Söllner houses and 1 mill.

The wooden chapel (Saint Anna) was replaced by a church in 1812. After a great fire in 1866 the
inhabitants obviously thought it safer to exchange St. Anna for St. Florian (prayers to this saint were and are said to prevent fires).

The coal used in a copper-smelting business in Deutsch Gerisdorf (of Count STRACHWITZ) came from a mine near Bubendorf, which was exploited from 1860 onwards (for several years). 60 miners from Bohemia are said to have worked there.

In 1874, the village got its own cemetery. A school house was built in 1918. Before this, the children went to school in Pilgersdorf. From 1918-1957 Julius HOLZER was teacher, from then onwards Rudolf TATALIN.

Mentioned "Richter"-names are: Paul PUHR (1597), Andreas PETZ (1673) and Michael PUHR (1890). Electricity was first provided in 1950.

Statistical data: 1822: 49 houses, 306 inhabitants; 1842: 346 inh.; 1863: 325 inh.; 1896: 57 houses, 328 inh.; 1900: 61 houses, 324 inh.; 1910: 61 houses, 316 inh.; 1923: 305 inh.; 1934: 305 inh.; 1951: 59 houses, 272 inh. (173 of these employed in the agricultural sector).

Taken from Josef Loibersbeck: "Um Pilgersdorf und Kogl" (translated extracts from: "Volk und Heimat," 1961, #'s 8 - 15/16); summarized and translated by Albert Schuch.

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