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The Next Hungarian
Harvest Dance will take place on Sat., Oct. 2, 2010, at the American Legion
Hall on Hwy. 43 near Springfield. Click Here for Details
Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association
The (AHSCA) is based in
a rural ethnic community known as Hungarian Settlement.
It 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 Hungarian Settlement. Interstate 12 passes through the center
of 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, residents are striving to preserve at least
some of the Hungarian culture of their ancestors, though much has changed
over the past hundred years since the origin of this unique 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 intersects 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 Árpádhon 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.
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