This is a website for the Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association (AHSCA), which is based in a rural ethnic community known as Hungarian Settlement. This Magyar community is located in eastern Livingston Parish, Louisiana due South of a small town called Albany, Louisiana Highway 43 runs north-south through the heart of this community from Albany to Springfield, which is approximately five miles away. Interstate 12 cuts through the community in an east-west direction. This ethnic enclave, once known as Árpádhon, contains many of the descendants of the early Magyar settlers who immigrated there near the turn of the twentieth century. At the present time, some residents are striving to preserve some of the Hungarian culture of their ancestors, though much has changed over the past hundred years in the community.
 

The purpose of the AHSCA website is to provide information, not only about this organization, but also about the community of which it is a part. The AHSCA is a registered non-profit organization.

Visible clues are evident that Hungarian Settlement does indeed  exist in the Albany-Springfield area of Livingston Parish, Louisiana. For example, a sign erected by the Louisiana Tourist Commission (pictured left) is located where La. Hwy. 43 connects with Interstate 12 at exit 32. There are several other indications in this community that a Hungarian Settlement exists there. On La. Hwy. 43, the north and south entrances of this rural ethnic community are designated by two large green highway signs that proudly display the words, "HUNGARIAN SETTLEMENT." Louis Bartus Hungarian Sausages and Pastries and the Olde World Bakery are two of the ethnic businesses that operate within the borders of this community. The Hungarian Presbyterian Church, which is located just off Hwy. 43 on the Hungarian Presbyterian Church Road, still holds weekly services, though not in the Magyar tongue. An inscription in Hungarian proclaiming the glory of God continues to hold a prominent place above the altar in St. Margaret Catholic Church. Less than a tenth of a mile south of Albany stands the former Erdey-Kiss Amvets building, which now houses the very active Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association. Even after more than 100 years, it is apparent that the Hungarians of Livingston Parish, Louisiana are intent with keeping their culture alive. With the hard work and determination of AHSCA members and others in the community, some aspects of the culture will survive for many years to come.

For more information about the AHSCA, please contact President Jim King at 225-567-9670 or email him at jking@i-55.com.

This website is maintained by Victoria Mocsary. Send any inquiries about this website to  vmocsary@selu.edu

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