It should not be confused with the village Nikolayevka which is located 44°05'N 43°05'E and 3.8 miles north northeast of Pyatigorsk (now called Pjatigorsk) which is located 44°02'N 43°03'E.
Along the southwest side of the village is a hill (Berg) where the residents grew vines or fruit trees. The soil was sandy, but fertile and produced delicious grapes. Between the hill and the village is a grassy valley where the animals grazed. A small, lazy river meanders through and willow trees (Weiden) grew on both sides, hence giving the village its name. It was a friendly-looking village, beautiful and peaceful.
A rumor said that after the war it disappeared, replaced by an airport. How sad! But a recent visitor (1995) reported that this is untrue. All the buildings still stand, now looking different and neglected.
History
Maps click on maps to enlarge
Surnames The following surnames are known to have dwelt in the village. (Surnames displayed like this indicate that I have genealogical information on one or more individuals in that family.)
Braunstein, Ebertz, Fischer, Gelsenlichter, Hegele, Hoegele, Maier, Maisam, Mastel, Merdian, Merk, Mook, Muller, Nold, Plattner, Schumacher, Urich, Wagner, Weigel, Welter, Wingerter, Winz
(Blessed is he who fondly remembers his fathers,
glad of their deeds, their greatness
the listener perceives and, silently rejoicing,
at the end of this beautiful sequence
sees himself as the result!)
–Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
