Page 84 - May-June-July Life In Naples Magazine

Hungarian man offered them an empty 5th Avenue horse
barn to house the bank. They painted it and put up a sign
asking others to join them. Soon they accepted from their
first customer a deposit of $5. Other deposits followed and
within that year they had over $200 on deposit. The bank
they founded – the Bank of Naples - hired experienced bank
personnel – R. Clarence and Mamie Tooke- as manager
and head cashier. Ed served as Vice-President for many
years. The bank thrived. Ed Frank is well remembered.
Goodlette-Frank Road bears his name.

THE HUNGARIAN BAGPIPE BAND “HUNGARIAN BAGPIPE ENSEMBLE” PARADES ON THE 21TH INTERNATIONAL
BAGPIPE FESTIVAL PHOTO CREDIT: ALEXANDR JUNEK IMAGING S.R.O..

war, politics, and poverty and motivated by a compelling desire to achieve,
Hungarians have sought out new homes around the world. Where they settle,
they bring their culture, their talents, their values, and their drive.

It is said that although Hungarians look like everyone else, their DNA
sometimes gains them the label of the “Martians among us.” Hungarians love
their cuisine. When it comes to eating, Hungarians seem to have no natural In late 1999, seven Naples residents met at the
bounds.They are omnivorous, adventurous, and hearty eaters with a penchant for Fleischmann Community Center.They formally established
the deep redolent flavors of red wines and paprika, garlic, and sour cream. Their the present Hungarian-American Club of S.W. Florida
desserts make up in nuts and poppy seeds what they lack in sugar. Hungarian paying two years dues in advance to provide seed money
emotions run deep and strong – if you are married to one, you know. They talk to attract members and supporters. One early supporter
a lot and all at once. Hungarians have a great love for their music from Liszt to was Count Gyula Széchényi, a Port Royal resident and the
Bartok and Kodaly to Black Friday. Hearty and adventurous, they live life fully. grandson of the famous Hungarian politician of the same

The Hungarian diaspora started just before World War I. It proceeded in name who served as Minister for the King of Hungary
earnest after the Treaty of Trianon in 1921, which dismantled the Kingdom between 1900 and 1903. The group wrote their mission
of Hungary. It increased with the displacements of World War II, the Russian statement - to preserve and promote Hungarian culture
invasion, and the ill-fated 1956 Hungarian Revolution.These events drove many through the presentation and enjoyment of Hungarian art,
Hungarians to the United States. Naples benefited from the arrival of some of music, dance, literature, history, language, and cuisine - and
these transplants who have made Southwest Florida their home.

Hungarian families began to arrive in Naples even before the major influx of
the late 1940s.The first arrivals were close-knit, meeting in each other’s homes to
share ethnic food, their culture, and their language. By the 1960s, the community
was large. A common gathering place was the home of Juliana and Andreas
Koda where ample food and Christian fellowship were always available. A small
Hungarian-American club had organized in Golden Gate but participation
dwindled and died out as the original organizers aged. However, the Hungarian
community in Naples continued to grow.

Prominent among the earliest Hungarian arrivals was Ed Frank, a Naples
pioneer and first generation American. Ed was born of Hungarian parents. His
father reportedly worked his passage to North America in the boiler room of a
ship. The family migrated to California. Their life wasn’t easy. Ed left home to
seek opportunity and came across country to Florida arriving in the early 1920s.
Out of money, he decided to settle here. Hard work allowed him to open an
early auto repair garage, now replicated in the Naples Depot Museum. Frank is
credited with inventing the swamp buggy and starting the swamp buggy races.

According to an anecdotal story from Juliana Koda, Frank and others
including Margit and Joseph Toth, also first generation Hungarian-Americans,
pooled their ready money ($15) to open a bank. The nearest one was in Ft.
Myers and inconvenient for the growing local economy. An elderly and childless

84 Life in Naples | May • June • July 2015