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 181 The factory chimneys of the Danube Cement and Lime Works were displayed on the "socialist"coat of arms ofVác Denmark, Norway and Italy, but the products got to Egypt, Guinea and Cuba as well. Production in the Factory ofTelecommunication and Engineering Materials started as early as 1954, but it was only in the early sixties that its real profile developed. The bestknown industrial plant was the Danube Cement and Lime Works (DCM). Its three chimneys were even depicted on the new socialist coat of arms of the town. However, this production, which started in 1963, had some really harmful effects. The town, which used to have a good reputation for its clean air, got covered - especially near the factory - with fine lime dust. On windy days the prevailing northwestern wind would spread it all over the town. After the 1956 revolution economic policy somewhat reduced the discrimination affecting small-scale industry. Work became easier mainly for those craftsmen working in cooperatives, since they had better conditions regarding both equipment and the supply of materials compared to those of their fellows craftsmen who remained self-employed. In 1966 the Danube Bend General Services Cooperative was established, uniting the former independent cooperatives under one umbrella. From the 1960s onwards there was a slow increase in the number of craftsmen, but these figures were still far below those of 1947.The Vác group of KIOSZ (National Association of Craftsmen), joining craftsmen working in both Vác and its neighbouring settlements had only 343 members in 1965, which was a mere 40% of their number in 1947. As a consequence of industrialization, the population of the town, which was the centre of the district as well, increased. In the 1950s the construction of flats did not keep up with the growing number of the inhabitants. During the third fiveyear plan - between 1966 and 1970 - the building of housing estates was started. Fortunately the town centre was mostly left untouched by demolition. Housing estates were built in the southern part of the town (Földváry Square) and in Deákvár. The majority of the new blocks of flats had one and a half or two bedrooms* Besides these housing estates, which conveyed the idea of urbanization, a high-rise block was also built in the town complying with the contemporary socialist urban image. In the early 1960s the Main Square was rearranged again. In 1962 the bus terminus was moved from here to 4 April (today's St István) Square near the railway station, where a new roofed station and waiting room were built adapting to the increased passanger traffic. The new location both relieved the traffic of the Main Square and provided more direct access to the Main Road 2. The local bus and coach services met at the same junction. The southern part of the Main Square, the former bus station was demolished and turned into a green area. The standard of services was rising. In the mid-1970s two department stores were opened in order to satisfy the increased demands of consumers. Modern buildings were set up in the area lying between the railway station and the Roch Chapel, near the bus terminus. The construction of the new hospital and clinic resulted in a better public health service. The music school, the secondary grammar school on King Géza Square and the students' hostel called Zoltán Komócsin (now Teréz Karacs) were * A two-bedroom flat in Hungary would be regarded as a one-bedroom flat with a living room in the UK. The “socialist” coat of arms with the Stone Gate and the cement factory
