From Bohemia Manor to Broadway: The enduring legacy of Czech immigrants in America

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before the mass migrations of the 19th century, Czech settlers were already shaping the American landscape. From colonial-era surveyors and wealthy merchants to the cultural architects of Midwestern cities, these immigrants built institutions, founded newspapers, and navigated complex religious divides, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's history.

The history of Czechs in America began with individuals like Augustine Herrman, a Bohemian immigrant who arrived in New Amsterdam and later established Bohemia Manor in Maryland after receiving a 20,000-acre land grant. Herrman, a surveyor, produced the first map of Virginia and Maryland in 1670. Another early figure, Frederick Philips, became a prominent merchant prince in the colonies. By the 18th century, the Moravian Brethren—descendants of Jan Hus’s followers—began arriving, founding settlements such as Bethlehem and Lititz in Pennsylvania. By the time of the Declaration of Independence, more than 2,000 Moravian Brethren resided in the colonies.

The mid-19th century brought a new wave of migration, triggered by the failed 1848 revolt against the Austrian government. These political refugees, often well-educated, were followed by peasants and craftsmen seeking economic stability. Unlike many other groups, Czech immigrants frequently arrived in family units with the intention of permanent settlement. In cities like Cleveland, the population grew from just three families in 1850 to over 3,200 individuals by 1870. These communities were often defined by their high literacy rates and a distinct internal cultural divide between Catholics and 'freethinkers'—agnostics or atheists who rejected organized religion.

As these communities expanded, they established cultural centers known as Slovanska lipa and launched vital publications like the newspaper Slavie, which remained in print until 1946. In Cleveland, the Broadway section became a hub for Czech life, eventually leading to the development of suburban communities like Maple Heights. While political shifts in Europe, including the 1948 Communist takeover and the 1968 Dubcek revolt, spurred further waves of migration, the early foundations laid by 19th-century settlers ensured that Czech-American identity remained a durable and influential thread in the American social fabric.

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