Culture/Heritage

 

According to an old Czech legend, a group of Slavic people, led by two brothers, Cech and Lech, were searching for a new place to settle. In Bohemia they thought the area would be able support a part of the group. To get a better view they climbed the nearby mountain of Rip. They liked what they saw. Therefore, it was decided that Cech's followers would settle there and Lech and his followers would look further.

 

When the descendants of these Czech people found it necessary to leave Bohemia in search of new homes in the 1800's, they came to America. Many from the South Bohemia area found their way to southern Minnesota, to the Lonsdale, Montgomery and New Prague area. This area has similar topography to that of Bohemia, assuring them of a means of making a living. A large percentage of people of Czech heritage currently living in this area are able to trace their ancestry to South Bohemia.

 

It has been more than a century since the largest immigration influx. Other ethnic groups settled here, the area prospered, the towns grew, and the people became better educated and more cosmopolitan--more American. However, the ethnic Czechs, while joining the "Americanization" process, did not entirely give up the culture of their ancestors. The area remains agricultural, local people know and use the language, produce and enjoy the music, sing at Czech funerals, prepare the foods, and use down pillows and comforters. Czech descedants in New Prague are able to correspond verbally and in writing with Czechs in the "old country", and also enjoy movies and plays in the language. There is a saying; "To be born a Czech is to be born a musician!" The polka originated in Bohemia. "Skoda Lasky (Beer Barrel Polka) by Jaromir Vejvoda and "Sukynka" (Blue Skirt Waltz) by Vaclav Blaha are widely known and enjoyed. Besides folk music there have been and are many famous composers of classical and operatic compositions, such as Antonin Dvorak, Bedrich Smetana, Bohuslav Martinu, Leos Janacek. One of the murals in New Prague's wallseum is of the New Prague Symphony. Many brass bands were formed in the area, which in turn spawned a myriad of ballrooms.

 

Two ballrooms still in operation are the Hilltop Hall in Montgomery and the American Legion Park Ballroom in New Prague, which holds a Polka Fest every year.

 

Some of the foods still eaten are knedliky, kysele zeli, jitrnice, rohliky and kolace. Many Czech ancestors, both there and here, raised geese and used the down and feathers to make pillows for comfort and comforters for warmth. Both are currently in fashion, whether handed down from one generation to the next or purchased in upscale stores. In recent years many families from the area have reestablished family ties with their blood relatives in the Czech Republic.

 

There have been many Czech visitors to our area since the collapse of Communism. They have commented on how "at home" they felt here and expressed surprise at how well we have "kept the culture". Like wise, many from here have visited the former Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, and have heard similar comments. The Czech people never dreamed that the culture of such a small country in the center of Europe would be kept alive elsewhere.

 

These are some of the reasons why Lonsdale, Montgomery and New Prague are considered "Czech Country". No other ethnic group in the area has maintained all aspects of their culture as the Czechs have done.

 

Lonsdale Area --

 

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad purchased 400 acres of land

in what is now Lonsdale from John, Pat, Martin and Tom Wilby. The original

plats were used as farmland. The town was named after Mr. Lonsdale, a

surveyor for the railroad.

 

Jacob Schultz and his wife were one of the first settlers. They had 11

children; their youngest child, Beatrice, was the first baby born in

Lonsdale. Early settlers speak of Lonsdale as being a low slough area.

Streets were low and muddy and elevated board walks served as sidewalks

around the business places. The town became incorporated in 1903. Tom

Wilby, the Town Site Agent, served as president; Jim McFadden, clerk; V.

Peterka, Jacob Schultz and V. Herda were councilman.

 

At that time, the original businesses were a hotel, saloon, harness

shop, lumber yard, grocery stores and blacksmith shops. Martin .J. Benzick

and his wife (who was the first and only woman living in Lonsdale at the

time) built the first hotel, livery stable, and saloon.

 

 

Montgomery Area --

 

The rich history of Montgomery goes back to 1856 when an influx of immigrants settled and cleared this area known as the "Big Woods." Czech immigrants predominated.

 

During the mid 1850s, European immigration slowly began in the midwest region of the United States. Between 1856 and 1860, a number of German, Czech, and Irish families settled in the Montgomery area looking for a new life of prosperity. The Czech immigrants predominated in Montgomery Township.

 

The county was covered with a huge forest, known as the Big Woods, with the exception of a few natural meadows and small patches of prairie. How strange and disheartening it must have been to come into such a dense forest. The wilderness they found was not what they had expected or what they were led to believe it was.

 

This wilderness caused great difficulty in opening farms and blocked the view in all directions. Farms were hardly cultivated at all until after the crash of 1857. Farms were needed then when town site speculation brought people face to face with providing food and necessities with no money.

 

Squarely facing this adversity, these sturdy people built farmsteads, churches, general stores, and a post office.

 

The town was named after General Richard Montgomery, a British military man born in Ireland. He had served in several military campaigns in America.

 

1877 proved to be a major turning point for the new town of Montgomery. That was the year the railroad was finally completed, giving vital access to merchandise and transportation. The railroad construction had been delayed due to the "Panic of '73," the Grasshopper Plague, and the Grange Laws.

 

With the arrival of the railroad, Montgomery prospered and became a center for trade and entertainment in this part of the state. The prosperity that the settlers came seeking had arrived. Within a few short years, Montgomery had 5 general stores, 1 drug store, 2 hardware stores, 2 furniture stores, 1 grocery store, 2 shoe stores, 1 harness shop, 4 blacksmiths, 1 wagon outlet, 2 tailors, 1 barber shop, 9 saloons, 1 flour mill, 1 saw mill, 1 stave, 2 grain elevators, 3 hotels, 1 newspaper, 3 implement dealers, 3 physicians, 3 attorneys, 2 insurance agencies, 2 churches, a school, and a fire department.

 

The following years continued to bring more business and industry. Everyone reaped the benefits of settlement on rich, fertile land. Montgomery had several dance halls and opera houses. The Catholic parish constructed a school. The town had 2 banks.

 

Montgomery has seen many changes over the generations but the steadfast values of our ancestors has not changed; hard work, family, religion, education, and community spirit. Many customs are still preserved: music; dancing; foods, such as kolackys, potato dumplings, zelnicky, vomacka, jiternice (Czech sausage); card games, such as Euchre and Sheepshead; gardening; hunting and fishing.

 

The early settlers also passed on a vision for the future that has led to many fine features that Montgomery enjoys today: our schools, churches, library, golf course, swimming pool, park system facilities, and public services. The friendly, caring atmosphere of Montgomery makes everyone who comes here feel right at home.

 

 

New Prague Area --

 

The first settlers to come to the New Prague area ventured to America compelled by their desire to seek new homes, provide a higher standard of living for their families and offer better opportunities to their children.

 

Anton Philipp, a Bavarian, was the first settler to come to New Prague in 1856. When he arrived in St. Paul, Philipp sought the counsel of Bishop Joseph Cretin who told him the best lands in the Minnesota Valley were occupied already, but the territory south of Shakopee held great promise.

 

During the summer of 1856, Philipp built the first log cabin on the south bank of Philipps Creek.

 

A few months later Albert Vrtis, a Bohemian settler also sought the advice of Bishop Cretin, when he was directed to a Catholic community to the north, near the present day city of St. Cloud. The group journeyed up the Mississippi, but at Fort Snelling they mistakenly turned up the Minnesota River, reaching Shakopee. There they were directed south, to Anton Phillip's settlement.

 

The first builders and developers in New Prague were Anton Philipp, Albert Vrtis, M.Hanzl, Joseph Stehlick, Thomas Suchomel, M. Stepka, M. Borak and Albert Janovsky. New Prague was established as a village in 1877.

 

Early settlers raised a cow or two for each family's use. Dairying advanced to a point where the need for a sound, business-like marketing system became apparent. Talk of forming a cooperative creamery was begun early in the 1900's. A meeting was called on September 2, 1911 for the purpose of discussing the feasibility of such a step. At this meeting an association was formed, a committee of five was formed to draft articles of incorporation and serve as a board of directors until the first annual election in December. A new building was erected and formally opened June 17, 1912. It remained The New Prague Creamery Association until the 1970's when it became part of A.M.P.I. (American Milk Producers, Inc.)

 

According to Dr. E.E. Novak, small grain had been the main crop. He saw the need for diversification of field crops and the improving of herds by use of purebred stock. He began raising corn, bought Duroc-Jersey hogs and Red Polled cows. In 1922 the Community Club decided to organize a livestock show to:

1) Develop greater interest in diversified farming,

2) Improve the quality of livestock in southern Minnesota,

3) Encourage 4-H club work,

4) Provide educational opportunities in the livestock field.

Known as the Southern Minnesota Livestock Show it evolved into a very successful, well-managed event. It included the counties of Le Sueur, Scott, Steele, Rice, Carver, Dakota, Nicollet, Wabasha, Blue Earth and McLeod. By 1930 there were 174 4-H club entries, especially in sheep and calves. Twleve schools were also represented in the stock-judging contest.

 

The first mill was built about 1875 beside the creek, west of the present mill. It was operated by steam and used mill stones for grinding.

 

F.A. Bean, Sr, established the New Prague Flouring Mill in 1896. In it's early days, wheat was bought from farmers of the New Prague area. It evolved into an international business known as International Milling, currently part of the ConAgra conglomerate, which produces two well known brands of flour; Seal of Minnesota and Robin Hood.

 

The New Prague Cooperative Oil Company was essentially a farmer's organization for dealing in petroleum products, wholesale and retail. Begun by a group of interested farmers on September 15, 1925, the first sale was made January 26, 1926. Over the years it has expanded from agricultural products into the wide variety of services known as Minnesota Valley Ag Co-op.

 

The Minnesota Valley Breeders Cooperative began as an artificial insemination business for purposes of improving herd production. It was an artificial insemination service and raised its own breeding stock. Also, the company was first in the area to build the sealed silos known as Harvestore, becoming the sale agency. Later the business became Midwest Breeders, and is currently called the 21st Century Genetics/CRI and 21st Century Farm Systems.

 

Generations Theatre

Ellen O'Neill

26721 Redwing Ave.

New Prague, MN 56071

952-758-5836