Slide Collection

HUNGARIAN SETTLEMENT HISTORY (18 slides of
Hungarian Settlement, Livingston Parish) There is a cassette tape
which goes along with this series of slides.

Slide 1 –

In 1896 three Magyar settlers, Julius Bruskay, Tivador
Zboray, and Adam Mocsary established a community in the eastern
part of what is now Livingston Parish. Julius Bruskay, lower left,
and Tivador Zboray, lower right, are shown with Father Grosz in
1906. Father Grosz was the second pastor of the Catholic church in
Albany.

Slide 2 –

They named this settlement Arpadhon after a national hero
of Hungary, where they were from. These three original settlers
placed advertisements in northern United States Hungarian language
newspapers and encouraged Hungarian friends to join them. By 1908,
about 40 Hungarian families were in the area.

Slide 3 –

The Brackenridge Lumber Company was responsible for
providing work for the men, while the cutover timberland was easily
converted into farming land suitable for strawberries.

Slide 4 –

This map was made around 1910 and shows the boundaries of
the land owned by the first families of the Hungarian community.
The Brackenridge Lumber Company sold the land for $10.00 an
acre.

Slide 5 –

The short and long leaf pine forests were cut and shipped
by rail to Springfield on the Brackenridge Lumber Company’s
train called the “Dummy Line.” Steamboats then carried the cut
timer to New Orleans, and then overseas to Europe.

Slide 6 –

By 1916, most of the timber was cut and the lumber business
declined. But by then, the growing Hungarian Community was
supported by the many acres of strawberries that they
grew.

Slide 7 –

The new Hungarian settlers were hard-working and religious
people. Land was given for the building of two churches. The
Hungarian Presbyterian Church, built in 1907, shows a star on the
steeple. This is similar to the Protestant Churches in
Hungary.

Slide 8 –

The Catholic Church was built in 1910 and named in honor of
St. Margaret.

Slide 9 –

St. Margaret was born in 1046 AD in Hungary. All through
her life she was known for her acts of mercy and holiness. Slide
shows statue of St. Margaret in the Catholic Church.

Slide 10 –

St. Elizabeth was very special to the needy of Hungary. The
legend was that when soldiers stopped Elizabeth to see if she
carried food for the poor in her apron, the food turned to roses.
Slide shows statue of St. Elizabeth in the Catholic
Church.

Slide 11 –

The altar of the Catholic Church, were Mass has been held
for almost 70 years, shows a statute of St. Elizabeth on the left
and St. Margaret on the right.

Slide 12 –

This building, first used as a one room school and later a
recreation hall was to be the home of the servants of the most Holy
Eucharist. Sisters performed many deeds of charity helping the sick
and needy as well as giving religious instructions.

Slide 13 –

The churches were important to the Hungarian community in
many ways. Baptisms of young children were a cause to
celebrate.

Slide 14 –

This wedding in the early 1920s is thought to be between
Peter Phiffner and Elizabeth Sciber. Weddings were the beginning of
new families.

Slide 15 –

This building was the original school house for the
community. It was also a nursing home called “Our Home.”

Slide 16 –

This is the home of Julius Bruskay, one of three founders
of the community. The people built their sturdy homes from the
trees that grew on their land.

Slide 17 –

An Hungarian tradition was to put the last name first, and
the first name last on tombstones. The people of Hungarian descent
change the order back when speaking to those who do not speak the
language.

Slide 18 –

And in the end, the church still overlooks the final
resting place of the people who built her, keeping watch as they
rest in peace. Scene of the Hungarian Presbyterian Church.