Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
VÁC IN THE 20TH CENTURY Opening ceremony of the Waterworks of Vác English/American concern: Kodak Ltd first asked the government for permission to set up a factory in Hungary in 1912. They chose Vác, situated near the capital city and having favourable transportation conditions, as the premises of the prospective factory. Construction work was started in 1913, but interrupted by the First World War, so work could begin in the factory only in March 1922. The factory had English management. At the beginning it had only 49 employees, but by 1930 there were already nearly three times as many people working there. Between the two world wars Kodak was the most modern industrial company in Vác. Due to geographical and soil conditions and the efficient support of the town, alongside the cultivation of grain, fruit and grape production was well over average. In the surrounding fields apple, pear and peach trees gave good quality crops. Bulgarian gardeners, who settled down in Vác, made model gardens which helped revive horticulture. The products of Hungarian-Belgian Horticulture Ltd were exported. The slopes of Naszály were covered with vineyards again, where quality grapes were grown for making quality wines. The Cellar of the Chapter of Vác was famous for its excellent wine. Trade was changing. Between the two world wars markets still played an important part in the exchange of agricultural goods, livestock-markets being especially popular. Farmers sold their animals not only at the local markets but to the rest of Europe. Trading companies sold mainly wood, grain and wine. In local trade the Ant Co-operative of Vác and the town market played significant roles. Between the two world wars the market was still in its former location, on the Main Square. From the 1930s there was a permanent row of 20 stalls known as market-hall outside Hotel Curia, while tents were set up in front of the Dominican Church. The fish market was opposite the Piarist Church by the Holy Trinity statue. Some goods were directly sold from the boats at the end of Eszterházy Street on the Danube bank. In spite of the economic consolidation public health did not improve at the expected rate. The hospital which was so fervently wished for as early as 1900 was not built between the two world wars either; however, health care showed a slight improvement. With the establishment of the National Stefánia Association, mother and infant care gained more emphasis. The health visitors of Stefánia started working in Vác in 1920.The American Rockefeller Foundation had an important part in the finance of preventive health care in Hungarian public health. The foundation supported the
