Bohemia Historical Society
The Story of Bohemia, Long Island
From three pioneer families to a thriving hamlet of more than 10,000
1854–1855
The Founding Families
In 1854, three families — Jan and Catherine Kratochvil, Jan and Barbara Vavra, and Joseph Koula and his wife — arrived in the United States from what is now the Czech Republic. Fleeing the autocratic rule and widespread revolutions that shook Europe in 1848, they crossed the Atlantic seeking a new life and greater freedoms.
Initially, work was scarce in New York City, and the men supported their families as street musicians. In 1855, after Jan Vavra fell ill, his doctor advised a move to the country for fresh air. Through an agent, Vavra purchased five acres of land sight-unseen from the farm of Alexander Wallis. Located about 50 miles east of the city in an area then known as Lakeland, the acquisition initially felt like a disappointment. The landscape was covered in dense scrub oak, dwarf pines, and the lingering soot of recent forest fires.
Despite these harsh conditions, the couples were determined to forge a settlement. Joseph Koula, a skilled cabinet maker, built their homes while the others labored to clear the land. When farming funds ran low, the men walked to the Great South Bay to seek work on the estate of Colonel William Ludlow, earning just 50 cents a day. Eventually, the severe hardships prompted the Koula family to relocate to Boston, leaving the Kratochvils and Vavras as the sole pioneers. Their perseverance was officially rewarded on April 1, 1858, when the small settlement celebrated its very first birth: Charles Peter, son of Jan and Catherine Kratochvil.
1859–1860s
The Railroad and Early Growth
By the spring of 1859, the fledgling community began to take root, welcoming 11 new couples, followed by seven more in 1862. To make ends meet, many of these early newcomers found employment working in the oil and fish fertilizer factories on Fire Island. However, the expansion of the Long Island Railroad network in the late 1860s served as a major catalyst for the region. The trains provided a vital, reliable lifeline for transporting goods and building materials, permanently transforming the local economy and drawing a steady stream of new settlers to the area.
Late 1800s
The Golden Age of Cigars
As the population expanded, Bohemia entered a defining economic era. Immigrants brought highly sought-after cigar-making skills from the “Old Country,” sparking an industry that would become the backbone of the village. What began as small, in-home cigar rolling operations in backyard “buckeye” sheds quickly blossomed into large, bustling commercial factories led by families like the Fosters and the Holeceks. For decades, the cigar industry employed a massive portion of the town, establishing Bohemia as a premier hub of tobacco craftsmanship on Long Island.
Early 1900s–1969
The Pearl Button Boom
Often operating right alongside the cigar makers, Bohemia developed a second highly specialized trade: pearl button manufacturing. Beginning in the early 20th century, companies like Math & Hrouda and B. Schwanda & Sons imported massive hauls of river shells, creating towering white shell piles outside their factories. Local craftsmen utilized traditional techniques from their homeland to drill and polish genuine pearl buttons for the New York City garment district. This industry thrived for decades until the rise of cheap, mass-produced plastics forced the final factory to close its doors in 1969.
1885–1893
From “Tabor” to “Bohemia” and the Jan Hus Legacy
In its early days, the settlement was informally known as “Vavratown,” “Tabor,” or “Bohemia Village.” As the community grew, residents established prominent local organizations, including the Shooters’ Club in 1868, the Czech Farmers’ Club in 1872, and the Czech-Slovak Benevolent Association in 1887. This organized growth gave the village the political influence needed to petition the federal government for an official post office in 1885. At a community meeting, residents voted to formally name the village “Bohemia,” and Joseph Nohowec was appointed as the first postmaster.
Deeply connected to their heritage, the residents ensured their culture remained a focal point of the town. This dedication was immortalized in 1893 with the erection of a 12-foot granite monument to the Czech religious reformer Jan Hus in the Union Cemetery — a powerful, lasting symbol of the cultural, intellectual, and religious freedom the founding families sought when they crossed the Atlantic.
Early 1900s
Civic Growth and Local Landmarks
By the early 20th century, Bohemia had transformed from a rugged pioneer settlement into a self-sustaining, vibrant community. Establishments like the Central Hotel and Cervenka’s Market became vital social and economic hubs where residents gathered, shopped, and shared news.
The community’s spirit of self-reliance was also demonstrated by the formation of the Bohemia Fire Department. Recognizing the need to protect their growing town and its factories, local volunteers stepped up, creating a legacy of civic duty and bravery that continues to serve the town over a century later.
1867–Today
Education in the Village
By 1867, the expanding population necessitated a dedicated public school. A modest one-room structure was erected for $600, accommodating 48 children under the guidance of a teacher who earned an annual salary of $180. As the village continued to flourish, the community voted in 1903 to construct a larger, two-story wooden schoolhouse on Church Street for just over $3,000. (The original 1867 building was later bought at auction for $100 by Frank Cervenka and moved to Locust Avenue to become a grocery store). The 1903 schoolhouse proudly stood as the heart of the village for decades until it was tragically lost to a fire in 1974.
Today, following an historic merger in 1960, Bohemia is a vital part of the Connetquot Central School District, which encompasses seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, serving a vibrant student body of approximately 6,700.
1940s–Present
Bohemia Today
For nearly a century, Bohemia remained a close-knit, somewhat isolated village composed primarily of families of Czech descent. However, the construction of MacArthur Airport in the 1940s and the subsequent post-WWII suburban development boom permanently altered the landscape. From a population of about 3,000 during its 1955 centennial, Bohemia has blossomed into a thriving, diverse community of over 10,000 residents. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience of its founding pioneers, its rich industrial past, and the vibrant tapestry of national and ethnic backgrounds that call it home in the 21st century.