Bohemia, Decade by Decade
The 1930s: Hard Times & High Winds
The resilience of a community built by pioneers
The 1930s were a decade defined by profound national economic hardship and sudden natural disaster. Yet, while the Great Depression brought America’s cities to their knees, the tight-knit, rural character of Bohemia proved to be its greatest defense, showcasing the resilience of a community built by pioneers.
1930s
The Great Depression in Bohemia
While the stock market crash of 1929 devastated the cities, Bohemia’s rural nature proved to be its saving grace. Most local families already maintained large vegetable gardens, raised chickens, and kept pigs. While physical cash was incredibly scarce, the community’s deep agricultural roots ensured that no one in Bohemia went hungry.
The Barter Economy: Out of necessity, the village temporarily reverted to a pioneer-style barter system. A local dentist or doctor might accept a bushel of potatoes for their services, and the remaining cigar makers often traded their hand-rolled wares at the general store for essential meat, flour, and sugar.
The End of Cigars: The economic crash proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Bohemia’s famous hand-rolled cigar cottage industry. As cheaper, machine-made cigars produced in large city factories became the norm, Bohemia’s skilled craftsmen were forced to pivot. Many families transitioned into commercial poultry farming or the nursery business, building the expansive greenhouses that would define the village landscape for the next 50 years.
July 10, 1930
The Fire Department Reorganization
While the original Hook & Ladder Company was founded back in 1893, the demands of the growing village required modernization. On July 10, 1930, the modern Bohemia Fire District was officially established. This crucial legal designation allowed the department to levy fire taxes to purchase better, life-saving equipment for the community.
This reorganization led directly to the acquisition of the department’s very first motorized pumper — a 1931 Chevrolet. This milestone officially marked the end of the horse-and-hand-drawn era for Bohemia’s first responders.
1934–1938
The “Suicide Squad”
In the midst of the economic gloom of the Depression, the village found a thrilling reason to cheer.
The Team: In 1934, the Bohemia Fire Department formed a motorized “drill” racing team. Competing in high-stakes firematic tournaments across Long Island, they earned the intimidating nickname the “Suicide Squad” for their fearless speed and daring maneuvers on the track.
The Record: From 1934 to 1938, the team — led by dedicated local members like Frank Kotasek and Jerry Recchia — remained virtually undefeated. They brought home trophy after trophy, turning local volunteers into regional legends and putting the small village of Bohemia on the map.
Read more about the Suicide Squad here.
September 21, 1938
The Hurricane of 1938
On September 21, 1938, the “Long Island Express” slammed into the coast without warning.
Devastation: The hurricane was a particularly cruel twist of fate for Bohemia’s new economy. The violent winds shattered the glass of the newly built commercial greenhouses and completely flattened the chicken coops that residents had just built to survive the Depression.
The Landscape: Thousands of ancient, old-growth trees were instantly uprooted. Vital arteries like Smithtown Avenue and Church Street were rendered impassable for days, burying the powerlines and isolating the village completely as the community was once again forced to dig itself out.
1939
Bohemia at the World’s Fair
Despite the struggles of the decade, the 1930s ended with a profound moment of local pride. At the 1939 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, Bohemia’s own Rose Emer (Fischer) was featured demonstrating the traditional, localized art of pearl button making. Her presence on a global stage showed the world that even as the village modernized and weathered the storms of the decade, its unique Old World craftsmanship was still brilliantly alive.