Local Landmarks
The MacArthur Field Hotel
A cornerstone of Bohemia life
A recent look into the archives brought a photograph of this landmark back into focus. The sign near the street proudly reads “MacArthur Field Hotel,” placing the image squarely in the post-World War II era. But for long-time residents of Bohemia, this corner held memories that pre-dated the airport, stretching back to the community’s earliest days. This story explores the many lives of a building that served as a local saloon, a respectable hotel, and finally, a disco, before vanishing into history.
History
The Foundations: Nohowec and Pilnacek
Before the roar of airplane engines defined the area, the intersection of Smithtown Avenue and Church Street was a quiet nexus for local farmers and tradesmen. The original structure on this site was known as Joseph Nohowec’s Saloon.
Like many establishments run by early Czech settlers in Bohemia, it was more than just a bar; it was a foundational community hub. As the town grew, the establishment evolved into M. Pilnacek’s Sunrise Hotel. During the 1920s and 30s, under the ownership of the Pilnacek family, it was a central venue for social life in Bohemia, hosting wedding receptions, club meetings, and family dinners. It was a landmark of the “old” Bohemia — a rural boarding house style that stands in stark contrast to the busy intersection it would later become.
1942–1950s
The “MacArthur” Era and Carl Bartl
The turning point for the hotel — and for Bohemia itself — came with World War II. In 1942, the nearby airfield was renamed MacArthur Field in honor of General Douglas MacArthur. To match its important new neighbor, the hotel eventually rebranded as the MacArthur Field Hotel (around 1953).
Notably, during the tenure of proprietor Carl Bartl, the hotel took on a distinct character. Advertisements from Bartl’s era highlight a welcoming “picnic ground” and catering for large weddings. The menu also shifted to reflect a hearty German influence, with Bartl famously advertising “Sauerbraten & Dumplings” and imported “Lowenbrau on Tap.”
1978
The Final Chapter
By the 1970s, the building served briefly as the Marian Manor before mirroring the culture of the late 70s and becoming a nightclub known as MacArthur’s Disco. On March 14, 1978, the structure was consumed by a massive fire. Fire Department records indicate the blaze started in the chimney or oil burner.
Chief Jack Laffey, who was Chief of the Department at the time, recalled: “The renters were going back into the building to get their clothing. It could not be saved.” While the site is now a strip of stores, the legacy of Nohowec’s, Pilnacek’s, and the MacArthur Hotel lives on in shared community stories.
