Most Czechs who immigrated to America settled on farms in the Midwestern states and Texas or the mining communities of the northeast. Some, who were skilled craftsmen, flocked to the major cities of the north where ethnic towns within the city flourished. To find a better life for the immigrants among their family and friends, organizations such as the Bohemian Colonization Club sought out large tracts of land for the establishment of Czech colonies where Czechs could live together and preserve their language and culture.
In 1912, after a year of searching for a suitable location, the Colonization Club reported a large area of land in central Louisiana available for low cost and having an ideal climate for farming. The Louisiana Investment Securities Company took over the project purchasing cut over land the lumber companies were willing to unload at 50 cents an acre and then resold it to the 200 or more subscribers of the Bohemian Colonization Club for $15 to $18 an acre. The land was on the northeast of the Red River and was not of the same alluvial quality of the Bayou Rapides area thus increasing the amount of work the colonist had to put into their farms to yield a profit if it was at all possible.
The Czechs brought with them an intense love of the land, enthusiasm for scientific farming, and a tremendous community spirit. They subscribed to many Czech papers and magazines, but the one relied upon most heavily was the Hospodar. This farm journal provided agricultural information, seed and crop reports, stories, letters, and cultural articles as well as tips for the homemaker.
The first name "Jno" -- I don't know what this really is, but it appears several times.
These properties were transferred from the Louisiana Investment & Securities Company to certain individuals.
In addition to the Czech names there are many non-Czech names entered for property sold by the same company.
Whether all these lands were part of the original Czech lands as currently stated as existing in the Bohemian Colonization Club or Lee Lumber company is unsure. The Lee Lumber company is listed as purchasing some of this land too.
Several public agencies and several companies are also listed as purchasing some of this land.
The List:
Frank Chruma -- 1/11/15
Cyril Foral -- 1/12/15 still around
Alois Hanak -- 1/21/15
Wm Pospisil -- 1/21/15 still around
Frank Baley (Cz?) -- 1/25/15
Joseph Varvarovsky -- 2/12/15 still around, street name
Anton Kastanek -- 2/12/15 street name
Jno Stanek -- 2/8/15
Jos. Brozik -- 2/8/15
Wesley Wostrchil -- 2/9/15 changed to Westerchil, still around
Jno J. Krejzl -- 2/9/15
Jos. Hrochovina -- 2/15/15
Rudolph Stucklik -- 2/15/15 still around
Jos. Stucklik -- 2/15/15 still around
Edward Locker (Cz?) -- 2/16/15 street name
Mary Richter (Cz?) -- 2/22/15
Rudolph Kranys -- 2/22/15
Jos. Hobsek (Holisek?) 2/25/15
Josef Hanzalek -- 2/25/15
Jno D. Hasik -- 2/26/15
Josef Stanovsky -- 2/26/15
Frank Zak -- 3/1/15
Frank Chvozka -- 3/1/15
Karel Klima -- 3/1/15
F. J. Stastny -- 3/8/15
Vaclav Dvorak -- 3/8/15 (accountant's name)
Jno Filipi -- 3/11/15
Sobeslav Cerny -- 4/9/15
Anton Dvorak -- 4/16/15 (composers name! -- accountant)
Frank Hyska -- 4/16/15
Alos Hanak -- 4/22/15
L. F. Krupicka -- 4/28/15
Joe Vorisek -- 6/16/15
Willie Lidicky -- 8/20/15
Jerry Benes -- 8/20/15
Frank Peck (Cz?) -- 9/8/15
Jno Skodacek -- 9/22/15
Frank Hromadka -- 10/4/15 family name in Port Barre?
Jno Husek -- 9/24/15
Jaro Bourek -- 12/10/15
Jos. A. Ubl -- 12/24/15
Emmanuel Kalous -- 12/24/15
A. A. Cecha -- 9/15/15
Anton Barock -- 7/7/16
Adolf Rudolf -- 7/7/16
Joseph Uxa (Cz?) -- 7/7/16
Martin Cizek -- 7/7/16 still around, Gene's grandfather?
Anton Holy, Jr. -- 7/24/16 still around
Jno Rybar -- 7/31/16
Vaclav Vlach -- 8/10/16
Jno Smetana -- 8/19/16 composers name!
F. J. Sedlasky -- 9/25/16
Joseph Kadlec -- 9/30/16
Leopold Krepcik (Krejcik?) -- 11/11/16
Ceuek (Cevek) Smutny -- 11/15/16
Stanislaw Smutny -- 12/30/16
Frank Smutny -- 12/10/16
Jos Jurenka -- 1/24/17
Frank Kubik -- 3/9/17
Wenzel Pitrasek -- 6/4/18
Frank Chocholoursek -- 2/24/19
Vaclav Vlach -- 3/18/19
Frank Vavra -- 3/18/19 is this a shorteing of Varvorasky?
F. K. Vondrus (Cz?) -- 6/2/20
Jno M. Shively -- 6/30/20
Fred J. Bedlasky -- 3/16/25
F. R. Hinciy (Cz?) -- 6/15/25
Jno W. Rosur -- 12/31/25