THE DISTRICT HISTORY AND CONTEXT The Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods grew out of Cedar Rapids’ original Czech settlements. In the 1870s, there was an established population of Czech immigrants living on the east side of the river. In 1871, a new meatpacking facility, T.M. Sinclair & Company, began operation in Cedar Rapids. The new plant was very successful and generated a steady demand for workers. Many of the plant’s employees were Bohemian immigrants who lived near the plant. As more people found employment, word got out to friends and relatives still in Europe and waves of immigrants began arriving in Cedar Rapids to work at the Sinclair plant. The previously undeveloped area between downtown and the Sinclair plant quickly filled with housing and businesses. The rapid population growth in the area spurred new civic and economic investment, and the 1880s and 1890s saw the influx of additional industries and infrastructure. The area had excellent railroad access, which made it a prime location for factories. Smaller, mom-and-pop businesses cropped up between the railroad tracks and the river to serve the burgeoning population. In 1890, the Czech-Slovak Protective Society started construction on a large social hall. The beautiful, three-story building quickly became the heart of the Cedar Rapids Czech community and the neighborhood was christened Little Bohemia. Across the river, on the southwest side, a small commercial district was emerging. This area was a “melting pot” for Italian, Russian, Syrian and Czech immigrants. Between 1900 and 1910, the city of Cedar Rapids designated the area to the north of Little Bohemia as a warehouse / manufacturing district. Almost overnight, entire blocks of Little Bohemia were demolished. This dramatic event along with the opening of new factories across the river, prompted many Czech immigrants to move their homes and businesses to the West side. During the 1970s, this vibrant area became known as Czech Village. Both neighborhoods flourished as established centers of Czech heritage and tradition through the 1990s. While Czech Village retains that moniker, in 2000 Little Bohemia was reincarnated as New Bohemia. The name is a nod to the past, while recognizing the changing urban dynamics that are affecting this rapidly growing area.
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