Bohemia Historical Society
Chateau La Boheme
The rise, fall, and rebirth of the “Castle in the Pines”
1854–1870s
Pioneer Roots
The origins of the Chateau La Boheme are inextricably linked to the arrival of the “Pioneer” families who established Bohemia in the mid-19th century. In 1854 and 1855, three primary families — Jan and Catherine Kratochvil, Jan and Barbara Vavra, and Joseph Koula — sought refuge in the United States following the revolutionary upheavals in Central Europe. Initially settling in New York City, the Vavra family eventually moved to the countryside on medical advice, purchasing five acres of land sight-unseen in an area then known as “South of Lakeland Farms” or simply “Lakeland.” The landscape they encountered was far from the pastoral ideal; it was a dense, charred wilderness of scrub oak and pine barrens.
Despite the harsh environment, the settlers leveraged their traditional skills to carve out a permanent community. Joseph Koula, a carpenter by trade, was responsible for constructing the initial cabins, while Jan Vavra acted as the driving force behind the settlement’s organizational structure. By the 1860s and 1870s, the population expanded with the arrival of the Karshick, Thuma, and Nohowec families, who brought specialized expertise in agriculture and industry.
1900s–1920s
Winnie Benedict: The Master Builder of Bohemia
The physical identity of the village was largely the work of Winnie Benedict, the great-grandson of founding patriarch Jan Vavra. As a “cultural broker,” Benedict bridged the divide between the hardened pioneers of the 1850s and the modernizing forces of the 1920s. Benedict operated a lumber yard and a construction firm, Benedict & Swanda, which provided the materials for the very houses that replaced the early settlers’ cabins.
Benedict’s influence was both commercial and social. His garage served as a community hub where local men gathered around a massive stone fireplace to smoke Foster cigars and discuss village affairs. This fireplace served as a prototype for the grander architectural gestures Benedict would later employ in the Chateau La Boheme. Benedict’s portfolio was extensive, including the brick commercial buildings of the downtown hub, the records of St. Luke’s Church, and the homes lining Ocean Avenue. However, the Chateau was to be his “magnum opus,” a project that defied the architectural norms of Long Island.
1920s
The Baron and the Vision for the Chateau
The construction of the Chateau La Boheme resulted from a partnership between Winnie Benedict and Anton Boris Divis, a mysterious figure known to the locals as “The Baron.” Divis arrived in Bohemia with his wealthy wife, Lillian, claiming noble lineage that reached back to the 16th century. Specifically, the Baron claimed descent from Count Czernin Divis, a Bohemian aristocratic leader who was executed in 1618 during the Thirty Years’ War.
Divis sought a residence that would serve as a physical testament to his perceived status and cultural heritage. He commissioned Benedict to build a structure that would resemble the medieval architecture of his ancestors’ homeland in Czechoslovakia. The Baron was described as a man of distinct presence, characterized by his extensive travels, cultural background, and a meticulous personal style, often appearing in a gray suit with a black bow tie.
1928
Architectural Integration and Design
Completed in 1928, the Chateau La Boheme was a “Czech Fantasy” dropped into the middle of the Long Island woods. Benedict’s design was a striking French Provincial style that utilized rugged stucco walls, half-timbering, and castle-like turrets. One of the most unique aspects of the construction was its integration of existing structures; the Chateau was built around a pre-existing garage and blacksmith shop, incorporating these utilitarian spaces into a grand, romantic design.
The exterior features were designed to create an aura of antiquity. The facade was accented by a gable peak filled with a prominent oriel window, designed to draw natural light into the expansive interior. Inside, the building served as a repository for the Baron’s vast collection of European art and historical artifacts.
Inside the Chateau
The Interior Sanctuary: A Museum of Antiquity
The interior of the Chateau was as impressive as its Gothic exterior. The dining room, in particular, was designed to house the Divis family’s collection of Old World art, many pieces of which were linked to the Baron’s alleged ancestors. The focal point was a massive, elaborately carved Italian-style fireplace, reputedly dating back five centuries. Above this fireplace hung a 350-year-old painting of Count Czernin Divis, serving as a constant reminder of the family’s historical narrative.
The Guardian Knights and the Thirty Years’ War
Guarding the dining room were two life-sized wooden statues of medieval knights in armor. These figures represented Generals Liska and Veliky, two prominent leaders of the Bohemian forces during the Thirty Years’ War in the early 17th century. The inclusion of these artifacts transformed the establishment from a standard hotel into a cultural sanctuary.
Beyond the statuary, the collection included a variety of rare items that reflected the Baron’s interests in both history and natural science. One of the most notable pieces was an ancient 20-pound handgun from the year 1500, covered in intricate ivory carvings of historical symbols. The collection also featured:
- A carved mahogany sideboard from 1739, standing seven feet high, originally from a Bohemian hunting lodge.
- A heavy Austrian tapestry dating back to 1640, maintained in excellent condition.
- A diverse array of medieval weaponry, including scimitars, lances, halberds, and war shields.
- African waterbuck antlers, a trophy from one of the Baron’s hunting expeditions in northern Africa, which were reportedly praised by representatives of the American Museum of Art for their quality.
Late 1920s–1933
The Prohibition Era: Glamour and Low Law
The strategic isolation of the Chateau La Boheme in the pine barrens made it an ideal location for the clandestine activities of the Prohibition era. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, the establishment functioned as a notorious speakeasy. Rum runners transporting illicit liquor from the shores of Montauk used the building’s labyrinthine cellars as a storage and distribution point.
Despite its involvement in the underground economy, the Chateau maintained an air of high glamour. It was a favored destination for celebrities and socialites seeking escape from the “dry” laws of the city. The silent film star Rudolph Valentino is recorded to have stayed at least one night at the inn, and the renowned composer Rudolf Friml — born in Prague and a towering figure in musical theater — was an occasional guest. Friml’s connection to the Chateau was particularly poignant, as his work, including hits like “Rose Marie” and “Indian Love Call,” mirrored the romanticized European aesthetic that the Baron sought to cultivate.
However, the establishment’s defiance of federal law did not go unnoticed. The Chateau was raided by federal agents at least twice in the early 1930s. These raids added to the building’s lore, cementing its reputation as a place of intrigue and rebellion against the homogenization of American social life.
1892–1926
The Evolution of Social Spaces: Hotels and Halls
The Chateau La Boheme was part of a larger ecosystem of social hubs that defined Bohemia during its peak industrial years. Barney Stejskal, a long-time resident and son of the owner of the Central Hotel, described the evolution of these establishments as vital centers for community cohesion. While the Chateau catered to an elite and celebrity clientele, other venues like the CSA Hall (Czechoslovak Society of America) served as the “social heartbeat” of the general population.
The first CSA Hall was constructed in 1892 at the intersection of Smithtown Avenue and Union Street, followed by a larger hall in 1920. This venue featured a grand ballroom that could accommodate 250 people for polkas, theatrical plays, and traditional weddings. A notable event in 1926 was documented as the “last traditional Czech wedding” in the village, featuring a reception at the CSA Hall where the entire community was invited to dine on pork, sauerkraut, and dumplings.
The contrast between the aristocratic Chateau and the fraternal CSA Hall illustrated the dual nature of Bohemia: a town that was simultaneously a hardworking industrial center and a place of high architectural and cultural aspiration.
1933–1965
The Normandie Inn Era: Mid-Century Transition
Following the end of Prohibition and the gradual transition of ownership, the Chateau La Boheme was renamed the Normandie Inn. It remained under the stewardship of the Divis family until the mid-1960s, continuing its legacy as a premier dining destination. During this period, the Inn was celebrated for its hospitality and its adherence to traditional culinary standards.
The restaurant was particularly famous for its partnership with Cerny’s Bakery, another pillar of the Bohemia community. Josef Cerny, a master baker educated in Prague, provided the crusty rye bread and rolls that became a staple of the Normandie Inn’s menu. Residents fondly remember the aroma of “kola-chi” and “buktey” emanating from the bakery, which was operated by four generations of the Cerny family.
In its later years as an active restaurant, the Normandie Inn became a favorite haunt of Ritchie Blackmore, the legendary guitarist of Deep Purple and Rainbow. Blackmore’s frequent visits highlighted the Inn’s enduring appeal to those with an affinity for Gothic atmospheres and historical depth.
Local Legend
The Paranormal Legacy: The Legend of Maria
As the physical structure of the Normandie Inn began to age and its active years as a social hub waned, it gained a significant reputation as one of the most haunted locations on Long Island. The primary ghost story centers on a young woman named Maria (or Sarah), who was allegedly strangled to death in a second-floor back bedroom during the building’s years as a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Former employees and owners, including Linda Ringhouse, reported seeing bright lights descending the staircase and hearing unexplained voices. These stories were often featured in television specials on hauntings and were documented in Dennis William Hauck’s Haunted Places: The National Directory. The presence of Maria became so entrenched in local lore that it attracted paranormal investigators and curious visitors for decades.
2004–2022
The Final Years: Neglect, Theft, and Collapse
The Normandie Inn officially closed its doors in 2004, beginning a nearly twenty-year period of abandonment. During this time, the building suffered from severe neglect, and the lack of occupancy led to rapid deterioration. In 2004, tragedy struck when the two iconic six-foot wooden knight statues — the very soul of the building’s historical interior — were stolen from the premises. Despite local outcry and investigation, these 17th-century artifacts were never recovered.
By 2007, the establishment was empty and deteriorating, although there were fleeting hopes for its revival. A new owner, Nick Campitello, announced plans to convert the building into an interior design business while keeping the medieval artifacts and the French Provincial facade intact. However, these plans never materialized, and the doors remained closed.
The structure eventually succumbed to water damage and fundamental neglect. In 2022, an attempt was made to renovate the building, but as soon as construction began, it was confirmed that the “bones” of the structure were unsalvageable. During the preliminary work, the Chateau began to collapse on its own, and the decision was made to demolish the structure for safety reasons. On May 16, 2022, the landmark was finally torn down, a moment described by community members as “very sad” and a significant loss of historic value.
2024
A New Chapter: The Replica and the Visual Legacy
The demolition of the Chateau La Boheme appeared to be the end of an era, but the visual legacy of Winnie Benedict’s design proved too strong to disappear completely. In a remarkable turn of events, the site at 1500 Smithtown Avenue became the location for a unique architectural compromise. In 2024, a replica of the original Chateau La Boheme was constructed.
This new building, though serving as a Jersey Mike’s Subs franchise, was intentionally designed to mimic the French Provincial/Gothic style of the 1928 original. It features the characteristic castle-like turrets and stucco aesthetic, ensuring that the silhouette of the “Castle in the Pines” remains part of Bohemia’s streetscape for future generations.
Timeline of the Chateau
1928 — Construction completed. The peak of Winnie Benedict’s architectural career.
1930s — Prohibition raids. The Chateau as a center of clandestine social life.
1965 — End of Divis ownership. Transition from a family residence to the Normandie Inn.
2004 — Closure & theft. The loss of the guardian knights and the beginning of decay.
2022 — Demolition. Final loss of the original structural integrity.
2024 — Replica opening. The survival of visual heritage in a modern commercial context.