Beginning in the 1870s; thousands of Bohemians flocked to Cedar Rapids in search of a better life. Czech immigrants courageously overcame the difficult conditions of the local packinghouse and the challenge of creating a new home. They maintained a strong cultural identity with Czech music; literature and an undying dedication to family. In the wake of a devastating flood in 2008; the people of Czech Village and New Bohemia re-imagined traditional principles to forge a remarkable resurgence toward a promising future. Author Dave Rasdal travels from the Charles Bridge to the Bridge of Lions in a celebration of Czech heritage and history in Cedar Rapids.
#1603192 in eBooks 2016-02-11 2016-02-11File Name: B01BSZSG7E
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Must have for those who love Boston.By paddywannabeI really dont remember Scollay Square and almost all of it is non-existent today. I love Boston and love history and am so thankful someone put this information in one place - great pictures and great insight into the past and present of that area.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A view of the pastBy Donna L. DoucetteI love this series on Images of America and was not disappointed by this one on Scollay square?Part of Boston that is now gone forever can be revisited again in old photos and news from the early to mid 1900s.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A fabulous trip back in timeBy flying_roundhouseBeing a Bostonian; and studying the History of Boston at Harvard; I am painfully familiar with all the reasons why Scollay Square was decimated in the name of "urban renewal" to make way for Government Center; one of the most awful public spaces in the country.Boston itself is a superb city; with a rich and varied history. Being a seaport; it was always a haven for immigrants; and with them; came new ideas. One rather infamous place for congregating; which later became somewhat of a den of iniquity; was Scollay Square. The area was a hotbed of activity; where international seamen and merchants frequented rather bawdy taverns; took in vaudeville and burlesque shows; and other intriguing entertainment.The idea behind the tearing down Scollay Square was that if you removed the places that attracted the "seedy element"; the "seedy element" would vanish. What was never taken into account was who would congregate in this very public space afterwards - which was basically no one. Government Center proved to be one of the most alienating; ugliest; out of scale; non-public places ever created. Knocking down Scollay Square resulted in making everything vanish - good and bad.However; in looking back; what is saddest about the destruction in my mind; is the architecture we can never have back. So much of historic downtown Boston was destroyed by fire; that to knock down perfectly good historic buildings is a crime.This wonderful book chronicles all the unpublished secrets of Scollay Square. It is especially poignant for Bostonians.
