A visit to New Prague would not be complete without a stop at some of the landmarks that have played an important role in local legend. What the historic landmarks leave out, is filled in by a host of newly commissioned murals depicting various aspects of our proud heritage.
1. SCHUMACHER'S NEW PRAGUE HOTEL
Built in 1898 by W. S. Broz, the hotel was designed by Cass Gilbert, architect of the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul. In early years, it was a favorite stopping place for overnight visitors arriving by train.
The sample room served as a place where salesmen could display their trunkloads of hats, shoes, material and other wares for shopkeepers from New Prague and surrounding towns. Their orders would then be delivered from the train depot to the merchants' stores by a local "Drayline," a horse-drawn delivery service. Schumachers is currently closed but the building still stands if you would like to see it from the outside.
2. NEW PRAGUE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA MURAL
The New Prague Philharmonic
Orchestra was active from about 1910 through the early 1920's. Many of the
members were accomplished musicians and played for other local bands and
orchestras. In fact, six of the musicians pictured in this mural were members
of the then celebrated St. Paul Symphony.
The illustrious Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak, spent the summer of 1893 in Spillville, Iowa, living with the John J. Kovarik family. A string quartet formed by Kovarik family members tried out for Dvorak the compositions he wrote there. Later, moving to New Prague, Prof. Kovarik taught violin and piano, served as choirmaster at St. Wenceslaus Church, and directed the New Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Professor Kovarik's house stands just west of the Bruzek Funeral Home, which was established by his grandson, John F. Bruzek, in 1905.
The ZCBJ Hall was built in 1887, and was first known as the CSPS Hall. It became the ZCBJ Hall in 1899. It was a well-known music hall, theatre and meeting space. In 1973, the State Bank of New Prague was built on the original site.
LOCATED ON: The west wall of 215 W. Main.
(No Number 3 - as mural was removed due to deterioration of mural, and building renovation.)
4. NEW PRAGUE SCHOOLHOUSE MURAL
In 1924 the first New Prague High School was built to conform to the latest ideas in scientific school construction. The gymnasium was considered one of the finest in the Northwest. The building and equipment cost about $125,000.
The first public school was convened in Anton Philipp's cabin in the late 1850's. Eighteen-year-old Mary Chalupsky was the first teacher. Mathias A. Philipp, a son of New Prague's founder, recalled that as a pupil he witnessed Mary getting a whipping from her father when he was notified that the young teacher had come to school late.
Prior to the 1924 structure, students attended classes in a 12-room brick schoolhouse. The first high school class graduated on June 1, 1907, in the ZCBJ Hall, which was crowded with proud citizens.
LOCATED ON: The east wall of Westowne Mall, corner of 1st Ave. NW and Main.
5. DOCTOR NOVAK AND J.J. REMES MURAL
The Doctor Novak and J.J., Remes
mural was painted in honor of two medical pioneers in the City of New Prague.
Mr. Remes and Dr. Novak shared the same birthdate, April 29th. Mr. Remes
was born on April 29th, 1869 and lived all his life in New Prague, where
he owned and operated a drugstore. Dr. Novak was born on April 29, 1874
in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1895 Mr. Remes invited Dr. Novak to come and practice
in New Prague. Dr. Novak accepted and came to New Prague on April 29, 1895
to begin his practice for the next 70 years.
Mr. Remes was confined to a wheelchair for over 30 years. He passed away in 1946 at the age of 77.
Dr. Novak was a practitioner, educator, farmer and politician. he served as Mayor for two terms, President of School Board for 42 years, Board of Regents for 18 years, President of State Bank for 35 years, President of Creamery, Southern Minnesota livestock show and he ran for governor of the state. Dr. Novak was also named the 1954 Minnesota Doctor of the year. In the 70 years of practice in New Prague he delivered over 7000 babies, mostly at home. He was truly a medical pioneer. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 93 years.
WAS LOCATED ON: The east wall of the McMahon Snyder Drug building, 130 W. Main. Due to remodeling the mural has been removed.
6. BOHEMIAN BRASS BAND MURAL
This mural is a composite of an early scene on Main Street, and a 1906 photo of the Bohemian Brass Band, organized by Jacob W. Komarek. Posing in their new uniforms, the band had just been hired to play at an evening dance. They are pictured with the bass and snare drums, trumpets, French horns, upright alto, tubas, clarinet and trombones. Popular dance music of the era included the locally-composed "Firemen's Polka" and "Sykora Polka."
In the early 1900's the band was hired for about $40.00 by merchants to perform concerts downtown to encourage Saturday evening business. Their stage, a movable platform, was horse-drawn to a different street corner each Saturday. The two-hour concerts consisted of marches and other classics of the era.
By day, band members worked at the mill, did brick laying, and operated butcher, paint and barber shops. Many of their direct descendants still reside in New Prague today.
LOCATED ON: The west wall of Liquor Store, 122 W. Main.
(No Number 7 - as building was demolished after a fire.)
8. FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING (MN Eye Building)
On the National Historic Register, this building was built in 1895 for the general merchandising business of Joseph and Mary Topka.
In 1903 a group of business leaders started to promote the idea of a second bank for New Prague. Joseph Topka sold out his general merchandise, and after extensive remodeling, the First National Bank of New Prague was opened for business. In 1921 the building was again remodeled, and the present marble facade replaced the original bricks.
9. NEW PRAGUE POWER PLANT MURAL
In 1896, the New Prague Foundry installed the first electric lighting systems in the city. Within the next four years, New Prague truly entered the modern age, when the first city power plant was constructed (photo shown under listing 21.)
The DC current was produced by a coal-heated steam-powered flywheel that turned the big generator. People using electricity were billed by the number of light bulbs and electric appliances they had, because there were no meters then. Later, "farm lines," built by farmers eager for the benefits of electricity, were extended from the power plant to the SW and NE rural areas outside the City of New Prague.
In "operator uniform," Joe Ferlik posed proudly beside one of the plant's early turbines. As a point of professional pride, operators were known to polish the copper and steel parts to a high sheen.
LOCATED ON: The west wall of the New Prague Power Plant (2 panels). Corner of Columbus Ave. S. and Main.
10. CZECH/SLOVAK SCULPTURE
In 1993, New Prague hosted Lucas Vlcek, a Rotary Exchange student from the Czech Republic. His father, Milos Vlcek, is a famous Czech sculptor, and he was so pleased with his son's experience here that he offered to produce a sculpture for the community to express his gratitude.
The sculpture was inspired by the theme "Trip and Discovery", as a trip means to travel to unknown and dangerous lands looking for something new that would enrich man's mind. The sculpture is a combination of symbols. The bottom part of the sculpture represents a ship. The upper part represents a city. The ship is a symbol of the trip that was taken by our ancestors. They left Europe and headed for the New World with hopes for a new life. The anchor is the symbol of their hope. Bravery, work and love were the basic stones for building their new home. The upper part of the sculpture represents the old city of Praha, the present-day capital of the Czech Republic.
The sculpture is made of white oak, a wood that represents sunshine, water and frost. It was designed to be like a wooden book that stands in front of the public library with a message in its pages. We invite you to read it.
11. NEW PRAGUE GATEWAY TOWER & REST STOP
Gateway Plaza was designed and built by the New Prague Chamber of Commerce to create a unique monument which both welcomes visitors and commemorates New Prague's proud ethnic heritage. The tower's architecture is reminiscent of the arches and spires that dominate the "Old World" landscapes of Germany and Czechoslovakia. The "Brana," as typical archways are called in
Czechoslovakia, was the usual entry through the town's outer fortifications. Locals were known to sing songs in honor of their "Brana."
The green two-tailed lions in the New Prague logo are taken from the classic symbol of Czech heritage, and the horns they are playing represent the rich musical traditions of this community.
The bricks paving the plaza bear the names and messages of community members whose donations helped to fund its construction in 1988. Stay for awhile and enjoy a picnic before strolling on.
12. ST. WENCESLAUS CHURCH
With foresight and dedication, four of New Prague's earliest settlers each donated 10 acres of land for the community's first church. The present structure was built in 1906 after the original church had burned down. With a town population of only about 1,500 people, it was one of the largest churches in the state, and cost $85,000 to build.
St. Wenceslaus' stained glass windows on the east side depict male saints, with the round upper windows symbolizing the beliefs of the Church as stated in the Apostle's Creed. Female saints are
depicted in the windows on the west side, with the round upper windows representing the seven sacraments of the Church. Many of the windows were imported from Europe.
In the early decades of the Church, each family had an assigned pew, with their names posted on the pew's entry.
13. ST. WENCESLAUS CEMETERY CHAPEL
Built in 1899 by Monsignor Francis Tichy, the chapel was intended for the burial of priests or others who wished to be buried in New Prague. With 24" solid marble walls, a copper dome and four stained glass windows, the chapel cost $6,000. It was refurbished in 1967 and again in 1987.
14. BEAN MANSION
The Bean family, founder's of International Multifoods, have always been strong supporters of New Prague. Our beautiful Public Library stands as a tribute to their generosity.
Frank A. Bean, son of the founder, had this striking English Tudor home built in 1906. In earlier years the yard contained a tennis court and a rose garden. The home is accented with rosewood and mahogany woodwork, with much of the hardwood and fixtures imported from Europe.
The home is privately owned.
15. RAILROAD DEPOT
It would be hard to overestimate the impact the railroad had on New Prague's growth. The Minneapolis and St. Louis railroad first came to New Prague in 1877, providing an outlet to the south as far as St. Louis, taking in the rich coal fields of Iowa and the lumber districts of the far north. In the early 1930's, New Prague was served by ten regular freight trains and six passenger trains daily. From the advent of the railroad, steamboating began to wane and those towns which were lucky enough to have rail service flourished.
16. CZECHOSLOVAKIA MURAL
Czechoslovakia is located in the exact center of the European continent. Its territory covers 128,000 square kilometers and its population numbers fifteen million. Present day Czechoslovakia has three distinct regions: Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia.
Many New Prague citizens are the direct descendants of the early pioneers who came here from Bohemia. The first Czech settlers who came seeking new lives for themselves and their families in the mid-1800's were: A. Vrtis, J. Hanzel, M. Stepka, B. Borak and F. Bruzek.
Even today the customs and language of Czechoslovakia can be seen and heard throughout the City of New Prague. Local citizens are proud of their ethnic background and take pride in their music, dancing, cooking and crafts.
LOCATED ON: The east wall of Econofoods, corner of Main and 4th Ave. NW.
17. THE CHARLES BRIDGE MURAL
The Charles Bridge, which spans the Vltava River and connects the two districts of Prague, Czechoslovakia, was named after its builder, King Charles IV. It was begun in 1357, replacing a 12th Century bridge called Judith's Bridge. The last remnant of Judith's Bridge, a small Romanesque tower, adjoins the Little Quarter Tower on the Old Town side
LOCATED ON: The north wall of Econofoods, parcel pick-up area, Main and 4th Ave. NW.
Folklore claims that the Charles Bridge is the strongest bridge ever built because the king's architects added eggs to the mortar. To ensure a large supply of eggs, the king ordered each castle and village to deliver a certain number of wagonloads of eggs.
One village, named Velvary, sent its wagonloads of eggs to Prague as ordered. After the masons cracked the first eggs, they frowned and tried a second and a third. After several more attempts, they began to laugh, as did all of Prague in the following days. It seemed that the good people of Velvary had sent the king many wagonloads of hard-boiled eggs!
In the 18th century, thirty groups of Baroque statues, mostly representing saints were added to the bridge parapets. They are the most outstanding works of Matthias Bernhard Braun and Ferdinand Maximilian Brokoff.
Since the 14th century, royal processions have passed through the gate of Old Town Bridge Tower and crossed the 1,706 foot Charles Bridge to attend coronation ceremonies at St. Vitus Cathedral.
Prague Castle, situated beneath and around the Cathedral of St. Vitus, consists of the Old Palace, and to its left, the newer 18th century Theresian Palace.
As the seat of both church and civil government, the Castle is the cradle of the nation's history. The main palace, built by Charles IV, burned in the late 16th century and was later rebuilt. However, it wasn't until Empress Maria Theresa remodeled the palace in the Baroque style in the 18th century, that it became the magnificent structure of present day.
18. HISTORIC FLOUR MILL
The birthplace of Robin Hood Flour, this mill was built in 1896 by Francis Atherton Bean Sr., with financial support from the community. It would have been hard to guess the eventual success of this operation from Mr. Bean's early efforts in the milling business.
Before coming to New Prague, Mr. Bean was forced out of business in Faribault, leaving behind $100,000 in debts. More than twenty years later, he sought out each creditor and paid him in full with interest, a payment totalling nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
The New Prague mill formed the beginnings for International Multifoods, a company which today claims over one billion dollars in annual sales. The mill was sold to Con Agra in 1988.
In its early years, the flour made here was known as Seal of Minnesota Flour and in later years as Robin Hood Flour. Until 1923, flour from all of the company's mills was sent to the New Prague plant where it was tested daily by the local baker and chemist.
Legend has it that many an undergarment was made from the Seal of Minnesota flour sacks and one such version finds an elderly Czech lady from New Prague lost in the big cities. Not being able to speak English, she proceeded to show her Seal of Minnesota underpinnings to someone in an effort to explain the location of her home town. Luckily, her idea worked and she was directed back to New Prague where her Czech tongue was understood!
19. HARVEY MANOR
Site of the former New Prague Community Hospital, this structure dates back to 1912 when it was the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Harvey.
Mr. Harvey was a business partner in the New Prague Flouring Mill, the parent plant which eventually became International Multifoods. After the mill moved its main office to Minneapolis in 1923, the Harvey's remodeled and donated their home for use as a community hospital.
Throughout his entire life, Mr. Harvey took an interest in the hospital and helped to furnish its rooms. It was used as a hospital until 1952 when a new facility was built.
New Prague Walking Tour Map
Contact Information
New Prague Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 91
New Prague, MN 56071
952-758-4360
E-mail: npcofc@bevcomm.net