Hungarian Village

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Hungarian Village is a neighborhood south of downtown Columbus between the Merion Village and Reeb-Hosack/Steelton Village, encompassing the area between Woodrow and Hinman avenues between High Street and Parsons Avenue. At the turn of the 20th century, the village became home to Hungarian, Croatian, and Italian immigrants, as well as refugees fleeing the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

Origins

At the turn of the 20th century, many immigrants from Hungary, Croatia, and Italy moved into the neighborhood to work for Buckeye Steel Casings.[1] At one point, the Foreign Grocery in the neighborhood employed staff which spoke 12 different languages, and commercial establishments thrived on Parsons Avenue. New architecture sprang up, which included Queen Anne and Dutch Colonial styles.[1] The 104-year-old Hungarian Reformed Church served as the neighborhood hub, while many also attended the St. Ladislas Roman Catholic Church in the area.[1]

Hungarian Revolution

Árpád Göncz, Hungarian revolutionary and first President of the country following the end of the Soviet Union, visited the village in 1991 on an official state trip.

Following the failed Hungarian Revolution in 1956 the village became home to several refugees, including current city resident Alex Huber of the Hungarian Cultural Association of Columbus.[1]

Decline and Renewal

The neighborhood flourished through 1930s, 40s, and into the 60s before falling victim to decline. In 1973, Rev. Zoltan Szabo of the Hungarian Reformed Church proposed that the area become known as the "Hungarian Village" in the spirit of nearby German Village.[1] By the mid-1970s it had become one of six restoration projects the city was engaged in.[2]

In 1991, Hungarian President Árpád Göncz visited the village on a seven-day U.S. trip, stopping at the Hungarian Reformed Church.[1]

Present

Today the village still has Hungarian-descended residents and the Hungarian flag is flown from porches of homes.[1] However, many of the families have moved on to other neighborhoods and cities.[1] The neighborhood has suffered as a result of the foreclosure crisis, but recently Hungarian Village has had an influx of residents from the LGBT community, generally a good sign real estate wise.[1] The average home value is $60,500.

The village is home to the Hungarian Village Society and hosted a Columbus Landmarks tour in 2009.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Hungarian Village neighborhood reviving ties to ethnic past", Mark Ferenchik. Columbus Dispatch. 3 may 2010. Retrieved 10 sept 2010.
  2. ↑ "Betty Garrett, Edward R. Lentz", Continental Heritage Press, 1980. ISBN 0-932986-10-2, ISBN 978-0-932986-10-8. p. 165.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.