Bohemia, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bohemia, New York
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Sign welcoming motorists to Bohemia on Smithtown Avenue and the westbound service road of Sunrise Highway.
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U.S. Census Map
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 Bohemia, New York
Location in New York
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Town | Islip |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.64 sq mi (22.38 km2) |
| • Land | 8.61 sq mi (22.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,852 |
| • Density | 1,144.92/sq mi (442.05/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
11716
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| Area code(s) | 631, 934 |
| FIPS code | 36-07157 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0944396 |
Bohemia is a small community called a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York. It's located on the South Shore of Long Island, about 50 miles from New York City. In 2020, about 9,852 people lived there.
A part of Long Island MacArthur Airport is located in Bohemia. The Connetquot River State Park is also found here. This park is great for horseback riding. Because of this, Bohemia has a special horse-riding culture. You might even see people walking their horses on the tree-lined streets! Many homes near the park have stables for horses.
Many people living in Bohemia today have family roots from southern Italy, Ireland, and the Czech lands (also known as Bohemia). A lot of new residents have moved here from other parts of Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Contents
Bohemia's Story: A Look at Its History
The first people known to live in the area now called Bohemia were the Secatogue tribe. They were part of the Algonquian peoples.
Bohemia was founded in 1855 by Slavic immigrants. These were the first Europeans to settle here in large numbers. They came from a mountain village near Kadaň in the Kingdom of Bohemia in Central Europe. This is why the town is named Bohemia. (Kadaň is now in the Czech Republic).
These immigrants arrived during a time when many people from Bohemia were moving to the United States. They were looking for a new life after widespread revolutions in Europe in 1848. Many of the men became street musicians to earn a living. They brought their rich Central European stories and traditions to Long Island. This added to the already strong oral tradition of the native people. Many of their first homes had special cross gable roofs.
For 100 years, Bohemia stayed a very small village. Most of its residents were of Czech descent. After World War II, Long Island grew a lot, and Bohemia grew too. In 1955, around 3,000 people lived there. Today, there are about 10,000 residents from many different backgrounds.
Local Cigar Making
The Slavic immigrants who came to Bohemia were very skilled at making cigars. For a time, there were several cigar factories in the town. This industry provided jobs for many residents. Two well-known factories were Albert Kovanda's and the M. Foster Cigar Factory. The local cigar business lasted until the 1930s. That's when machines started making cigars, and hand-making was no longer needed. No cigar factories are left in Bohemia today.
Trying to Change the Name
Over the years, some people tried to change Bohemia's name. They felt the name was too connected to just one ethnic group. They thought this might stop new people and businesses from coming to town. Some suggested names included Sayville Heights or North Sayville. These names came from the town just south of Bohemia. Another idea was Lidice, named after a Czech town destroyed during World War II. MacArthur was also suggested, after the airport built in the 1940s. (The airport is named for a famous American General). However, none of these ideas received enough public support to actually change the town's name.
Where is Bohemia?
Bohemia covers an area of about 8.8 square miles. Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.
Bohemia is surrounded by several other towns. To the west are Central Islip and Great River. To the north, you'll find Islandia, Ronkonkoma, and Lake Ronkonkoma. Holbrook is to the east. To the south are Oakdale, Sayville, West Sayville, and Bayport.
The weather in Bohemia has hot, humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool.
Who Lives in Bohemia?
In 2020, there were 9,852 people living in Bohemia. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds. Most residents are White, but there are also African American, Asian, and Native American people. Many residents are also of Hispanic or Latino heritage.
About 22% of the population is under 18 years old. About 16% are 65 years or older.
Schools in Bohemia
Bohemia is part of the Connetquot School District.
- High School: Connetquot High School serves students in grades 9–12.
- Middle Schools: Students in grades 6–8 attend Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School. Ronkonkoma Middle School is another option.
- Elementary Schools: Sycamore Avenue School, Edward J. Bosti Elementary, Idle Hour Elementary, and John Pearl Elementary serve grades K-5.
The Dellacave Institute for Professional Development is also in Bohemia. It offers courses for adults who want to keep learning.
Getting Around Bohemia
The town is close to the Long Island Rail Road stations in Oakdale and Ronkonkoma. This makes it easy for residents to travel to Manhattan, where many people work.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is partly located in Bohemia. This airport is a convenient choice for travelers from the greater New York Metropolitan Area. It's often less crowded than John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports. Popular flights from MacArthur Airport go to places like Orlando, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Baltimore, Maryland.
Bohemia is also a short drive from the Sayville Ferry Service. This ferry takes you to the Fire Island National Seashore. There you can find some of Long Island's most beautiful and quiet ocean beaches.
Bohemia Historical Society
The Bohemia Historical Society (BHS) was started in 1984. Its goal is to protect the town's rich history. This group does this through educational programs, presentations, and community events. They also have a newsletter and a website.
The BHS museum opened in 2009. It has exhibits showing what life was like in early Bohemia. You can also see a collection of old photographs and books. Some books include historical Czech writings. The building also serves as a meeting place for the society.
Connetquot River State Park
Connetquot River State Park Preserve is a large area of land and water. It covers 3,473 acres. This park helps protect and grow populations of game birds, fish, and animals. You can find many deer and waterfowl here. Rare birds, like the osprey, also nest in the park. There are also many rare plants, such as trailing arbutus and pyxie moss, growing naturally.
The preserve has 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. You can also fish in the Connetquot River, but you need a permit.
See also
In Spanish: Bohemia (Nueva York) para niños
