New Bohemia in Prince George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
New Bohemia, VA
Sacred Heart Parish
Beginning in the late 1880's, this region of Prince George County along the Norfolk & Western Railway became the center of the first largest settlement of Czech and Slovak immigrants in Virginia. Originally known as Wells Station, then Estes, it was renamed New Bohemia in 1911 at the request of those settlers. Forming a community of homes, general stores, a church, hotel, school and neighborhood meeting hall, this small group of agrarian immigrants reclaimed and restored 12,000 acres of farmland left barren following the Civil War. In the 21st Century, many of the original family farms nearby continue to contribute to local growth and economy.
On the adjacent 12 acre site, deeded to the Diocese of Richmond by Marie O. Hanzlik, 29 Czech families (which included Josef Machat, Sr., leading Czech settler in Virginia) established the first Czech Catholic Parish in the Commonwealth. The initial church building was dedicated in 1906, followed by the erection of the Parish Hall and dedication of the Parish Cemetery in 1908. The parish remains active and vibrant, and together with the surrounding areas, bears witness to the acculturation of the Czech-Slovak immigrants into American society. This site is listed on the Virginia and National Register of Historical Places, February 8, 2012.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 37° 11.233′ N, 77° 19.433′ W. Marker is in New Bohemia, Virginia, in Prince George County. Marker is on Community Lane south of County Drive (U.S. 460), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9300 Community Ln, Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Patrick Kelly (approx. 1.6 miles away); General Brehon Burke Somervell (approx. 2.8 miles away); Fort Davis (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Davis (approx. 2.8 miles away); History at Prince George Courthouse (approx. 3 miles away); Site of U.S. Military Railroad (approx. 3 miles away); Prince George County Veterans Memorial (approx. 3 miles away); Confederate Soldiers of Prince George Co. (approx. 3 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Church of the Sacred Heart Parish (Petersburg, Virginia). Wikipedia (Submitted on December 21, 2015.)
2. Church of the Sacred Heart Parish. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 745 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.