Visit the Original Homeland of Your Hiestand (Haston) Ancestors
Historical Background for Your Hiestand Tour in Switzerland
This book contains 100+ pages (Chapters 2, 3, and 4) of historical background that will make your Hiestand visit to Switzerland MUCH more meaningful, plus nearly 300 pages of additional information on the early Hiestand family in Rhineland Germany and the Colonial Years in America.
Site 1 - Hiestand Bakery Bistro and Shop in Zürich City
Although it is not a Hiestand historic site, per se, it is a neat place to visit, and the food is wonderful. Tell them you are an American, with Hiestand roots in Zürich. It may not get you a discount, but you will make them smile.
Site 2 - Richterswil Museum (Ortsmuseum Richterswil)
The museum is located in downtown Richterswil, one of the earliest villages where our Hiestands lived. Contact them ahead of your trip to schedule a visit, since their normal hours are limited. They have always been very flexible with us and have some Hiestand materials that you will want to see.
Ortsmuseum Richterswil Dorfbachstrasse 12 8805 Richterswil 044 786 34 39 info@ortsmuseum-richterswil.ch |
Site 3 - Ueli Hiestand's Beichlen and Himmeri Farms
Ueli Hiestand was a prominent citizen near the village of Wädenswil in the mid-1400s. He owned two large farms, Beichlen and Himmeri. See Chapter 2 of The Heritage, Life, and Legacy of Daniel Haston: Book 1 – The Swiss-German Heritage of Daniel Hiestand for the historical significance of these two villages.
Sites 4 and 5 - Fälmis and Haslen Farms
Our Anabaptist Hiestand ancestors (almost certainly) originated from these two farms – Fälmis and Haslen – (approximately 1/2 mile from each other) before they were forced out of Switzerland because of their faith. They are now suburbs of Samstagern in the municipality of Richterswil within the Horgen District of Canton Zürich. See Chapter 3 of the The Heritage, Life, and Legacy of Daniel Haston: Book 1 – The Swiss-German Heritage of Daniel Hiestand for the historical significance of these two villages.
Fälmis is still a farm, as you can see in the above aerial photo.
Haslen is now a subdivision, as you can see in the above aerial photo.
Site 6 - Village of Hütten and Around Lake Hütten (Hüttnersee to locals)
As early as the 1400s, several Hiestands were living on farms around this small lake. Also, the village of Hütten overlooking Lake Hütten (Hüttnersee) was a place where Hiestands have lived for centuries. See Chapter 2 of The Heritage, Life, and Legacy of Daniel Haston: Book 1 – The Swiss-German Heritage of Daniel Hiestand for the historical significance of this area.
Site 7 - Schönau
Hiestands were one of the first, if not the first, families to clear and settle on this hillside, the (Hinter) Schönou. They were there at least as early as 1453. It is rich with Hiestand history, especially during the Anabaptist years. The family that currently (2025) lives there is open to members of the Hiestand family visiting there. Just be polite and let them know who you are and why you are visiting. Don’t miss the Bert Kampfert house.
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