By Marylee Hagan
TERRE HAUTE — In the early 1900s Terre Haute saw the arrival of immigrants from Hungary. They were seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Terre Haute offered opportunity for new beginnings with it industries, mines and railroads.
The families settled in a neighborhood just east of the Malleable & Manufacturing Company where many of the men worked. The “neighborhood” was located near 19th Street and Maple.
Over the years, those not working at the “Malleable” found employment as railroaders, miners and craftsmen while others became teachers or established businesses.
Because of the high risk of many of their jobs, major insurance companies refused to insure the men. As many ethnic groups did, the Hungarians established their own society, The Hungarian Working Men’s Benefit & Death Society in 1909. Their purpose was to “financially assist its sick members, to bury its dead members, to cultivate the spirit of ‘Brotherhood,’ and to preserve and strengthen the Hungarian culture and heritage.”
In 1912, the Hungarian Society acquired two lots at the corner of North 22nd and Linden Streets with plans for a building to be used as their meeting place. In 1920, the Hungarian Hall was built and still stands today as the center of activity for those of Hungarian descent.
Hungarian Hall is the gathering place for meetings, dances, wedding parties and wakes. The Harvest Dance, staged each October, continues the tradition of those hardy souls who first crossed the sea to establish a new life for themselves and their loved ones.
Cathy Miller and Joe Kosarko have created a wonderful display of traditional Hungarian items and scrapbooks as part of the Historical Museum’s current major exhibit, “The Immigrants: Celebrating the Ethnic Heritage of Vigo County.” Don’t miss this exhibit.
