Near Waco in Haralson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hungarian Colony

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 6, 2022

1. Hungarian Colony Marker

Inscription. In 1888, three wine-making communities were founded here on some 2000 acres. A local land developer, Ralph L. Spencer, invited some 200 Hungarian wine-making families to settle this region. They named their largest community BUDAPEST, in honor of the capital of Hungary. The village of TOKAJ recalled the famous wine-making region of Hungary, and NYITRA was named after an ancient fort in the northern region of their homeland. Homes, streets, shops, a school, a Catholic church, a cemetery and other municipal facilities were built. The wine industry flourished in this climate. In 1908 the passage of the Prohibition Act in Georgia spelled their doom. The residents were forced back to the Pennsylvania mines. The rectory still stands on a hill, a fine tribute to the master masons who erected it. The pioneer Hungarians who became a part of the Georgia soil lie in the little fenced cemetery over the hill, many of the graves still marked with names which sound foreign to these parts. By ancient tradition the inhabitants lie with their heads toward the East and their beloved homeland.

Erected 1988 by Georgia Department of Natural

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Resources. (Marker Number 071-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 33° 42.902′ N, 85° 13.099′ W. Marker is near Waco, Georgia, in Haralson County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 78 and Budapest Road, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 78. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waco GA 30182, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

Photographed by David Seibert, circa May 1991

2. Hungarian Colony Marker

flies: Historic Tallapoosa (approx. 4.4 miles away); Sacred Harp Singing (approx. 4½ miles away); Seven Chestnuts (approx. 4.9 miles away); Sandtown Trail (approx. 5.1 miles away); Haralson County (approx. 6.2 miles away); Hernando de Soto in Alabama (approx. 9.4 miles away in Alabama); University of West Georgia (approx. 12.2 miles away); First “REA” Substation in Carroll County (approx. 12.2 miles away).

Budapest Cemetery image. Click for full size.

January 30, 2008

3. Budapest Cemetery

Budapest Cemetery is located east of Tallapoosa, Georgia on Landfill Road about one mile from this marker. The cemetery contains about 20 graves, and it appears that no burials have taken place here since 1956.

Post from the missing Hungarian Colony Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 6, 2008

4. Post from the missing Hungarian Colony Marker

A local resident reports that a car driven by some young boys backed into the marker, breaking it as can be seen in the photo. This is what remains today (September 2008).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,967 times since then and 97 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2. submitted on August 7, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on August 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.