Bohemia, Decade by Decade
The 2010s: Resilience, Modernization & Community Spirit
Tested by fire and water
The 2010s marked a period of profound transition for Bohemia. As the village pushed further into the digital age and celebrated major institutional milestones, it was also tested by historic natural disasters. Through it all, the cooperative pioneer spirit of the original Tabor settlement proved to be as resilient as ever.
2012
A Year of Fire and Water
The year 2012 will forever be remembered as the year Bohemia’s resilience was tested by two historic disasters — one specific to the village, and one shared by the entire Eastern seaboard.
The St. John’s Fire (April 2012): On April 3, 2012, around noon, a devastating electrical fire broke out in the historic “Little Church” on Locust Avenue (built in 1885). The blaze quickly gutted the interior and tragically destroyed 8 of the 9 original stained-glass windows, threatening to completely erase the oldest public building in the parish. However, thanks to the rapid response of the Bohemia Fire Department — bolstered by mutual aid from five neighboring fire companies — the structural frame of the building was saved from total ruin. A subsequent restoration, aided by a highly generous anonymous donor, outfitted the church with a brand-new copper roof, a fresh stucco façade, and a renewed lease on life as a vibrant center for the local Youth Ministry.
Superstorm Sandy (October 2012): Just six months later, on October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy roared across Long Island. While Bohemia’s inland elevation spared it from the catastrophic coastal flooding that devastated the south shore, the wind damage was severe. Thousands of trees — many standing since the town’s agricultural days — were toppled, taking critical power and communication lines down with them. The village was plunged into darkness for over a week, but neighbors once again rallied to clear the roadways and share generators, proving that the cooperative pioneer spirit of the original Tabor settlement was still very much alive.
2013
Golden Anniversary for Connetquot
The decade also marked a major educational milestone. In 2013, Connetquot High School celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
A Half-Century of History: Following the 1960 consolidation of the Oakdale-Bohemia and Ronkonkoma school districts, Connetquot High School officially opened its doors in 1963. Alumni from five decades returned to the halls for the 2013 celebration. The event highlighted how the district had successfully transformed from a controversial mid-century merger into a powerhouse of academics and athletics, permanently binding the communities of Bohemia, Oakdale, and Ronkonkoma together under the “Thunderbird” banner.
2018
Celebrating 125 Years of Service
In 2018, the community gathered to honor its protectors. The Bohemia Fire Department celebrated its 125th Anniversary, marking a continuous line of service from the original “Bucket Brigade” of 1893 to the modern, high-tech force of the 21st century.
The Celebration: The milestone was marked with a gala installation dinner and a renewed community focus on recruitment, ensuring that the next generation of Bohemia residents was ready to step up and answer the call.
Late 2010s
A Modern Hamlet
By the end of the 2010s, Bohemia had fully transitioned into the digital age.
The “Smart” Village: To ensure its history would survive the 21st century, the Bohemia Historical Society drastically expanded its digital footprint, launching online archives. This initiative brought 150 years of photographs, genealogical records, and local stories out of physical binders and made them accessible to researchers and descendants around the world.
MacArthur Airport: The local airport continued its modernization, upgrading its terminals and runways. It cemented its role as a key economic engine for Suffolk County, even as residents and local civic associations continued to advocate for the delicate balance between the economic benefits of regional travel and the reality of neighborhood noise.
📸 “Do You Remember?”
Do you have photos of your street from the days following Superstorm Sandy? We are looking to add personal photos from the 2010s to our archives. Contact us to share your story.