Budapest, Georgia facts for kids

Budapest is a small, unincorporated community in Haralson County, Georgia, in the United States. It sits at an elevation of about 1,362 feet (415 meters). You can find Budapest along U.S. Route 78, about five miles (8 km) southeast of Tallapoosa, Georgia. This community was named after Budapest, the capital city of Hungary.

History of Budapest, Georgia

How Budapest Was Started

In 1882, a real estate developer named Ralph L. Spencer had an idea. He invited about 200 Hungarian families to settle in Georgia. These families were skilled in making wine. They were working in the mining industry in Pennsylvania at the time.

Mr. Spencer offered them 2,000 acres (8.1 square kilometers) of land. Many families accepted this offer. They were led by a Catholic priest, Father Frances Janisek. They named their new home Budapest to honor Hungary's capital city.

Growing the Community

Nearby, another village was started called Tokaj. It was named after a famous wine region in Hungary. Brothers Jacob and Paul Estavanko wanted larger plots of land. So, Tokaj was founded to give them more space.

A third small village, Nitra, was also created. Slovak settlers lived there and helped with the wine industry. People from Ohio and other parts of the U.S. also came to the area. They were interested in this new wine-making industry.

The community quickly grew into a busy town. It had sixty buildings, including a Catholic church, stores, and a post office. Soon, grapevines covered the sloping hills. Large storage vats were prepared, and wineries were planned. It seemed like a new industry was succeeding in the South.

The End of the Wine Industry

However, things changed with the Georgia Prohibition Act of 1907. This law made it illegal to produce and sell alcohol. Because of this, the wine industry in Budapest fell apart. One by one, families had to leave to find other ways to make a living. Today, only a few of the original families remain.

What Remains Today

The last descendants of the Budapest settlers living there passed away in 1964. Today, not much is left of the Hungarian colony. There is a cemetery at the original site. Also, Father Janisek's large mansion, built by the immigrants, still stands.

This mansion is now called Key's Castle by its owners. William Key, a relative of Francis Scott Key, bought the house and some vineyards in 1906. The Key family's descendants still own the home. The Estavanko family stayed in Haralson County, and a local road is named after them.