Czech Village was flooded by over 8 feet of water during the week of 9 June. All businesses have suffered damage and many still don't have utilities yet (as of 21 July). We are waiting for the Cedar Rapids City Council to give us the go ahead to rebuild or wait to be demolished. Until then, all the businesses down here can use you prayers and your support. Try to volunteer to help a Czech Village business by calling it and seeing if they need your help.
List of Businesses On 16th Avenue SW
Since this website does not try to be a directory for Czech Village or represent the Czech Village Association, I choose to list the businesses that I like. This site does not come as a benefit of being a dues paying member of an organization like other sites. If that was the case, then yes all dues paying members would be listed whether I like them or not. But since this site is a private site, I reserve the right to editorial opinion and decision.
A near downtown area in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Czech Village is a charming mixture of shops, businesses, and people that is the ethnic history of the area. Czech Village preserves an historical section in a growing, fast moving city. In this locality, irreplaceable historic structures are preserved as a part of the fabric of present day life and work. Woven into the Village is a wealth of information on Old World backgrounds and Czech influences, decorative details and personal histories.
In the 1970's and continuing today, preservation efforts were begun by Village businesses and Czech groups. A bandstand was erected in the town square area, convenient parking areas built which don't detract from the Village's atmosphere and an association government formed to represent the business, history and Czech people. The original purpose and character of the Village remains untouched.
In the middle and late 1800's and early 1900's, when Cedar Rapids and the surrounding counties in Iowa were first being developed, a large portion of the newcomers were immigrants from Central Europe. The area formerly known as Czechoslovakia. Settling close to the Cedar River on it's southeast bank, the river served as a source of food, ice and transportation. The early settlers started their own businesses to support their needs; resuming many old country crafts and trades.
When a bridge was built across the Cedar, businesses and neighborhoods expanded to the southwest side of the river. These were to include a coal yard, egg buying station, machine shop, bakeries, butcher shops, dry goods store and harness shop. Some of the these old businesses remain on their original sites, and the architecture of the early days is still apparent. By nature industrious, self-reliant and law-abiding, these people worked hard to become good Americans. Yet, like many other ethnic groups that make up this country, they also tried to preserve the best of the culture they left behind.
Then in June 2008, the Village was flooded with over 8 feet of water.
St. Joseph's Day, held the Saturday following March 17th. St. Joseph's Day celebrates the birth of the patron saint of Czechs. A parade and many other Village events involving display of red, and "Czech Pride" take place in the Village.
Houby Days is held the weekend after Mother's Day in May, featuring Czech fine arts, folk arts, and costumes. Czech music and dancing, mushroom hunt contests and delicious mushroom food. The focus of this celebration is the heritage of the Czech people.
Sv. Mikulas Day is held on the first Saturday of December. Sv. Mikulas (the Czech St. Nicholas), the Angel and the Devil, traditional Czech Christmas characters, visit the Village in an "old town" Christmas celebration.
email:
info@czechvillageiowa.com
or write:
CzechVillageIowa.com
attn:
Cyprian Alexzander
97 - 16th Ave. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404