Dreaming of cleaner air and fertile land? Around 1908, Oberstedten beckoned city dwellers. It promised an idyllic escape. Ernst Ritter von Marx touted its benefits. He highlighted Oberstedten’s “protected location” and “pure, strong air”. He also noted the soil’s fertility.
Oberstedten is one of Oberursel’s four subdivisions. It lies northwest of Frankfurt. This location offered a tempting proposition. The landscape featured lovely forests and meadows. The Dornbach stream added to the charm. Pure spring water was another draw. Land was cheap too. A square meter cost just 3 Marks. Commuting to Bad Homburg or Frankfurt was easy. The Kleinbahn Oberursel-Hohemark and Taunusbahn made it quick.
Oberstedten’s story stretches back millennia. Evidence suggests settlement activity over 7000 years ago. The first possible written mention was in 817 as “Steti.” However, this might refer to Mittelstedten or Kilianstädten. Oberstedten was definitively mentioned in 1272. Over time, its ownership shifted. In 1486, it came under the Counts of Hanau-Münzenberg. By 1622, it belonged to the Landgraviate of Hesse-Homburg.
The Reformation arrived in 1526. Today’s St. Nikolaus Church dates to the early 18th century. It was expanded in the 1950s. The newer St. Petrus Canisius Church is quite striking. Consecrated in 2010, it replaced a 1960s building. Since 1972, Oberstedten has been part of Oberursel.
Visiting Oberstedten offers a taste of local life. The Forellengut Herzberger has drawn visitors for 129 years. It offers fresh and smoked fish. You can dine at its restaurant on weekends. The Äppelpark showcases old apple varieties. The Mühlenweg trail follows the Dornbach stream. It recalls the twelve paper mills that once used its waters.
Though not an immediate success, the appeal of Oberstedten grew. By the mid-1930s, the population reached 1,750. In 1909, the Kann-Stiftung established a Jewish convalescent home here. However, the Nazis expelled its residents in 1938. The remaining building now houses the Reformhausakademie. Post-war, Oberstedten expanded significantly. Young families built homes here. Guides promoted Oberstedten as a vacation spot. They emphasized its location near the forest. They also mentioned nearby attractions like the Saalburg Roman fort. Oberstedten offers an insight into the Frankfurt Rhein-Main region’s history.